#i could also go on (not literally... previous tag)

[therobotmonster]

Saw some of your posts about AI recently, but don't really know very much about you. I have two questions:

1. Are you an actual artist, or do you just do genAI?

2. If you are an actual artist, why do you use/support AI?

We're going to get into this in a minute, but yes, by what you'd likely use as a definition of 'actual artist', I am. I have a BFA in graphic design, a minor in art history, I've been working as a freelance artist either on the side or as my main hustle since 2001, and I've been making art since I was five. Multimedia, 3d modelling and sculpting, photography (in a darkroom type and digital), acrylic painting, illustration, writing, puppetsmithing, I'm a jack of many, many trades.

Because it's a potent force multiplier that lets me do things that I could not previous (as well as helping compensate for my increasingly arthritic joints) and because it's entirely keeping with the copyleft principles I've had since the 1990s. It's just plain interesting and fun. And I had my fill of moral panics in the 1980s.

This is gonna be a long one, enjoy a song while you read.

I've gone over all this many times before, (for full reading, here's the #AI Discourse tag on my AI blog) but the short version is that I agree with the Electronic Frontier Foundation's position on AI art.

To demonstrate, we've got some of my non-AI photobash work, and some of my AI-work of the same type. Both were made using many, many public domain images broken down to B&W lines, scaled, reinked, normalized and colored.

On the left, is a comic made with specific panels from comics that have had their copyrights expire (back when that could happen), on the right, a comic made with about 35 individual dall-E 3 gens. The techniques are the same, the only difference is the source of the pubic domain images.

No one debates whether what I've done on the left is art, yet somehow the one on the right is a problem for some people. Yet I have vastly more control over the latter than the former.

And it's hard to get more transformative than 'broke down into math and blended with literally millions of other math formulas in order to make a completely new image" Replace 'math' with 'memory' and you have how all human creativity works.

Moving to covers, one of my parody deepdream-adjusted comics, and a reinked-recolored AI one on the right. The one on the left no one had a single problem with, but Bruce Wayne and Jessica Fletcher are screencaps, the Specter is a sales photo of a statue with a copy of 1989 Ted Dansen's face, and I'm using direct DC trade dress. Crickets.

On the right, no actual images by humans are used (outside the barcode, comics code authority emblem, and the 30 cent mark.) Same techniques, same situation. Very different reaction.

I also was a young artist in the 90s when Disney and the RIAA bribed and lied their way into extending copyright to its current ridiculous 120 year term, and I recognize what's happening with the anti-AI movement.

The exact same fear-mongering was used to get small artists to rally their congressmen against their own self-interest, and that's what the Copyright alliance is doing now.

Copyright does not help the small artist. It's also a relatively new invention, one that would be baffling to humans through most of history. You can't own art. Not even the people who make it. You can own a canvass or a carved rock or a book, but you don't own the art itself because you can't own feelings or ideas.

Copyright is a limited patent on specific expressions intended (supposedly) to encourage production, a limitation on the business use of art. The arguments levied against AI would kill fanfic, fanart, pastiche, collage, and more.

This isn't a bug, it's a feature, because...

The anti-AI side isn't actually anti-AI, they're pro-regulatory-capture-of-AI-by-Megacorporations. The copyright anti-AI argument conveniently leaves it open for Disney, Warner Bros, Nintendo, Sony, the RIAA, all to make their own AI systems to lower their production costs, because they own more than enough material to make powerful datasets.

They get it, you don't, worst of all possible worlds.

Now, at the start I mentioned that we'd get into the "actual artist" situation. All those people making bog standard waifu-pics with AI? They're also making art. Kids using a spirograph make art. Duchamp's fountain is art. And people who make art are artists.

But more than that "if you're an actual artist why do you use AI?" is an interesting question, because if more people actually used the tech and saw how it works, you'd see a lot less people against it. Most of the anti-AI talking points are just factually incorrect or greatly misrepresent the situation, but nobody is gonna learn that if even using it is treated as a transgress worthy of 'fair game' treatment.

Funny how that works out.

To close out, enjoy one of my music videos, made from dozens of clips made using reference images made with dozens of heavily modified gens that I totally could have made the hard way, except for the lack of 5 million dollars and access to Geena Davis and Ron Ely circa 1982:

[sesamenom]

Gil-galad Variations, featuring all the gil galad theories i've encountered.

[Most recent version: LINK]

[enigmaticpink]

Me: so yeah ive had four relatives with pancreatic cancer, and also brain cancer and kidney cancer and liver cancer and skin cancer and lupus and MS and mcas and RA and fibromyalgia-

The hematologist: okay so im gonna order some inflammatory marker tests and an ana test! Also a ct

[eggsistential-basket]

how it feels getting trapped in a sleep paralysis/false awakening loop for 40 minutes while trying to take a nap right before having to make a phone call

[marimareepy]

i love hero and talking about him etc. the favorite character stuff you do!! but thinking about mari also makes me incredibly happy. its fun!

maybe im used to it with hero. with the main characters you know what to expect, or who they are. with mari, we can only gather small tidbits from other characters (and its their pov) or what is shown in game from the memories

the fact she wasnt there at all in game (besides with the obvious plot) makes it more interesting to think how she would be if she grew up, or what she was like before the incident. basically: who is mari, or who was she?

we all know mari was a perfectionist, but what would she think therself? i forgot if she ever even called herself one. there is so much to mari to discuss, and only so much we can guess (thats omori for you)

[ilovemyqueerattorneys]

Ace Attorney, despite not being as bad as some other fandoms, has this issue as well. Edgeworth, Phoenix and Apollo take 70% of the fandom space, and while I understand they’re three main characters, so are Athena, Maya and, to an extent, Trucy and Pearls. I barely see anything for Pearls ( who is my favourite Ace Attorney character), but I see a lot of posts about Klavier, who is less present overall. I don’t get how he’s more popular than Franziska either, and I like the guy.

Hell, Edgeworth is my most used tag on here, because he’s the character I see the most content of, therefore, the one I’m the most likely to reblog. I wish I saw more content for AA women.

Do not get me started on The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles and Susato vs Kazuma, because this is even more ridiculous. She deserves so much more love. The fandom isn’t hostile towards women, but it tends to sideline them a LOT, and they’re central to the series. It is sad, really.

really is bizarre the way fandoms largely do not like women at ALL. it’s been happening for ages but when you see people straight up just hating on women characters more often now (+ the general rise in misogyny) and then you come on here and everyone’s just pretending women don’t even EXIST in any media ever. it’s like that’s not much better. fandom isn’t activism but it does reveal people’s internal biases. like women being excluded, sidelined and erased in everythingggg. people will take characteristics that are compelling in a female character and give it to a man in fan content just so they don’t have to engage with a woman ever. fics, fan art, ships, etc. a hollywood produced movie/tv show won’t even sideline a woman as much as the average fandom blogger will

[divinefelinebast]

guh

[alygator77]

.ೃ࿐ motherhood and matrimony I ch 10 𓆩ᥫ᭡𓆪

ꨄ︎ pairing. au ceo! satoru gojo x single mom secretary fem! reader

ꨄ summary. satoru gojo, the arrogant and irresistible heir to a billion-dollar corporation and the son of your boss, the ceo... but when satoru’s father dies unexpectedly, his inheritance hinges on a stipulation: he must marry and have a child, but the child doesn't necessarily have to be his, right? together, you strike a deal: a fake marriage that promises financial stability for you and corporate control for him. as the lines between business and emotion blur, you must decide if your partnership is purely contractual or if it could evolve into something real.

ꨄ︎ warnings/tags. 18+ MDNI, nsfw, enemies (annoyances) to lovers, opposites attract, fake marriage, marriage of convenience, slow burn, smut, fluff, some angst, reader is single mom who recently broke off her engagement, satoru being a cute step dad, naoya is your crappy ex, triggers of prior domestic abuse » 【NOTE FOR THIS CHAPTER - violence. minor character death. blood and brutality. prior trauma. explicit sexual context: handjob, blowjob, face fucking, swallowing, praise, desperate, needy satoru. he's literally so in love with you.

ꨄ words: 14.9k

ꨄ a/n. hi hi!! it's been a while. i'm excited to share this ch with youuu 🥹 !! please caution !! - there IS violence, read my tags bbs. oh man, here we go... the yakuza don't fuck around ya'll. also, welcome nanami!! see you at the bottom. ♡ (art by 3aem )

ꨄ taglist: open (ao3)

♬ playlist

series masterlist ꨄ︎ previous chapter ꨄ︎ next chapter → pending

ch 10 // ruin and reverence

Blood and money.

Two currencies of power.

One, pooling thick and dark, seeping into the cracks of the aged wooden floor. The other, crisp and clean, slipping effortlessly through Mei-Mei’s manicured fingers. The Zenins have always understood both intimately—one is used to buy power, the other to maintain it.

Tonight though, only one is being spent.

The sickening crack of brass knuckles against bone splits the air, followed by a wet, choking cough. The man kneeling before Toji jerks forward, lungs fighting for air they don’t have room for. His arms are bound behind his back, wrists cinched so tight his fingers have gone blue.

And his face?

Well, not much left of it now. One eye swollen shut—the other, barely tethered to consciousness.

He isn’t alone—two others lie slumped beside him, bodies twisted in the way only pain can shape—blood pooling beneath them like spilled ink. Toji hasn’t glanced at them since they dropped. They’d served their purpose.

This one, though? Still breathing.

The room is dim and airless, the kind that holds onto heat and old violence. A flickering overhead bulb swings gently above, casting shadows that crawl across the walls with every shift of movement. The smell of sweat, blood, and something metallic lingers—heavy, but familiar.

This isn’t a room meant for conversation.

It’s a room meant for remembering your place.

“P-please,” then man rasps, wheezing. “I—I told you everything, I swear—”

His knees scrape the floor as he bows, forehead nearly touching Toji’s boot. Shame, surrender, desperation—it’s all there, thick in the air like humidity before a storm.

But Toji doesn’t blink. He just watches. Shoulders rolling, fingers flexing. The brass glints under the low light. His head tilts slightly—calculating.

“Mm… that so?”

“Yes-yes,” the man nods desperately, breath hitching. “I swear. Please, I swear.”

Toji’s lips curl slightly, not in amusement, but in something far less kind, and with no warning, he fists a hand into the man’s blood-matted hair, yanking his head back like a drawn bow.

“Wait—p-please!” the man jerks, his good eye wide with panic, spine pulled tight.

Arching a brow, Toji observes him like a purchase that didn’t hold up.

“You were in his house,” he states simply.

“Y-yes,” a frantic nod. “I—I was—”

Toji hums. “Breathing his air...”

The man nods again, breath shuddering with a quiet sob, his shoulders convulsing involuntary.

“Walking his floors...”

Another nod, another breathless sob.

Toji clicks his tongue, pondering. “…makes you valuable, doesn’t it?”

And there it is. That flicker.

Hope.

Thin as thread.

Pathetic, really.

Toji lets it bloom, just long enough to see it shine in the man’s good eye—let him believe. Then, leaning in, his voice drops to a murmur.

“So why?” he asks, almost curious. “Why do you still look so fucking useless to me?”

There’s no time to answer. The man crumples, folding in on himself as Toji’s fist drives into his ribs—sharp, direct. A wet crunch. Then, without so much of a glance, Toji steps over his body without looking down. It’s just dead weight on the floor. The others had figured it out too—right before the end.

They’d begged.

It hadn’t mattered.

With a slow exhale, he approaches the table, where Mei sits, thumbing through yen with that same detached grace. She doesn’t glance up as he reaches for the glass of sake beside her. But as Toji brings the glass to his lips, taking a sip, he catches movement in his peripheral, and behind him, the grunt coughs—wet and raw.

…he’s still trying?

With a tilt of his head, he turns, watching the man drag himself forward through blood and spit. Ugh… it’s always the ones who stay conscious that think they’ve earned something.

“He’s still breathing,” Mei hums, unmoved. Her eyes stay on the cash, more interested in the spoils than the suffering that paid for them. “That’s a bit generous, Toji.”

“Yeah yeah…” he takes a swig of sake, exhaling, “…not for long.”

Suddenly, the door creaks, and Naoya strolls through its opening. Smooth strides, like it’s just another business report. Golden eyes scan the room, moving from the bodies on the floor to the blood smeared across the boards, then to the one poor bastard still crawling like it might matter.

Huh. Nothing unusual.

“Yo,” his hands shove into his pockets, tilting his head with a smirk. “You’re working late.”

Lifting her chin, a smirk plays at Mei’s lips like the edge of a knife.

“Evening, Naoya.”

He returns the gesture with a lazy tilt of his head, but his attention shifts almost immediately to the table—to the scattered aftermath of whatever poor bastard had made the wrong move tonight.

Gold chains. Scattered bills. Watches stripped from the wrists of men who thought they had more time.

Spoils of failure.

“Having fun?”

Reaching for the next stack, Mei hums.

“More than them.”

Naoya drops into the chair beside her, kicking his feet up like this is a poker night and not a graveyard.

“Well, well,” he exhales, gaze cutting toward Toji. “If I knew it was open season, I’d’ve brought popcorn.”

Lifting his sake, Toji watches it swirl in the glass. He doesn’t spare Naoya a look. Doesn’t say a word.

Naoya waits.

And waits.

And… waits?                    

Eventually, Toji sets the glass down with a soft clink, rolling his shoulders, exhaling. Then, he turns back toward the crawling man—who’s made it, maybe, four inches from where he started.

The fuck?

Naoya frowns slightly, eyes narrowing.

“Psh... not even a hello?” he scoffs, shifting in his chair like he’s brushing off the tension. “Cold, even for you.”

Still no answer.

Just the dull sound of Toji’s boots against the floorboards as he closes the space again.

Then—

A punch.

Then another.

And another.

Each one lands with a dull, final force, like closing a door that shouldn’t have been opened. Bone crunching. Flesh splitting beneath steel-plated knuckles.

As Naoya watches, a subtle unease creeps in—threading through his amusement like a hairline crack in polished glass.

“You’re in a mood…” he offers lightly, rocking his boot idly against the edge of the table.

Toji’s fist drives into the man’s ribs, followed by a wet, wheezing gasp.

“Am I?”

It’s almost conversational.

Almost.

Another hit follows. Harder. Meaner. And Naoya exhales, stretching out in his chair like he’s not watching someone die.

“Yup… quieter than usual,” he muses, clicking his tongue. “Bad news? Or just bad company?”

Toji hauls the man upright, his body sagging like it’s already given up.

“…both.”

Naoya hums, like he’s got a fix for that.

“Well… maybe I can help with that. Got something on Gojo today.”

At that, Toji’s grip loosens—the man dropping to the floor with a heavy thud, and Naoya perks up. Encouraged, like a dog who thinks it’s being tossed a bone.

“Heh… thought you’d appreciate it,” he leans back, legs stretching further, “y’see… I took a little… initiative.” He says it like he wants a fucking gold star. “Dropped by Gojo’s place. Figured I’d get ahead of things.”

Toji’s back stays turned, but he tilts his head, barely—just enough to feed Naoya’s ego. Mei raises a brow, knowing better.

“Gotta say… his security wasn’t much,” Naoya goes on, waving a hand lazily. “Paid them off. Walked right in,” he pauses, his smirk stretching. “Got into his office and poked around. Grabbed a few files… contracts, statements… stuff that’ll sting once we’re in court.”

Toji nods. Slow. Thoughtful.

Too thoughtful.

“That so?”

Naoya’s grin grows—he can’t help himself. “Yup. Even got photos of everything. There was a safe I didn’t crack, but we can go back. Who knows what kind of dirt’s buried in there?”

Toji hums low in his throat. Like he’s thinking. But he’s not.

Why? Because he already knows.

Without warning, his fist swings again—one final, devastating blow. The man’s body jerks violently. Then stills. Toji grabs him by the collar again, lifting him halfway—checking.

But there’s nothing. No breath. No twitch.

Dead.

Behind him, Naoya’s smirking like an idiot.

“Damn. Poor bastard…” he says, half-laughing. “Can barely even tell he had a face.”

“Huh… you’re right,” Toji muses, giving the corpse a second look. Then, he drops it without ceremony, wiping his knuckles off on his shirt, slow and methodical.

“Guess you can’t even tell he was one of yours.”

Naoya blinks.

“…huh?”

Toji finally looks at him, flashing a smug grin. “Oh, yeah,” he nudges the body onto its back with his foot, revealing the ruined mess of a face. “Didn’t you know? These are your men.”

Something shifts—not the blood, not the bodies, but something else, something that had been slowly, steadily unraveling and Naoya had missed it.

“…w-what?” he blinks, speechless, forcing out a dry laugh. “The hell you mean, my men?”

Toji says nothing. Just begins rolling up his bloodied sleeves—one fold at a time—like he’s getting ready to mop the fucking floor.

“Gojo fired his entire staff tonight.”

A pause, because that’s it—that’s enough. Enough to let Naoya know how deeply, irreversibly he’s fucked up. The men Toji beat to death were Gojo’s old employees—their moles.

But Naoya just scoffs. “Tch… you’re fucking with me.” he leans back, arms crossing like he’s trying to hold something in place. “I mean… c’mon. Gojo fired his staff?” 

Toji looks at him, gaze flat. “Did I stutter?” An unnerving pause. “All of them,” he adds casually. “Kept Remi though.”

Jaw ticking, Naoya’s fingers twitch against his bicep.

“Paranoid bastard…” he mutters, too dry, too short. He swallows. Tries to laugh. “Doesn’t mean shit. Just means he got spooked. We knew there was a risk.”

Toji’s head tilts a fraction deeper, a shadow passing through his expression.

“…we?”

That word is a hammer. Naoya stills, because Toji’s voice is calm, but the weight of it drops like a fucking lead pipe.

“Let’s see… if I recall correctly…” he says, stepping closer, voice steady, cold, “I never fucking asked you to go into Gojo’s house, isn’t that right?”

“Well… but…” Naoya stammers. Then tries a shrug, rolling his shoulders like it’ll shake off the weight. “I did what needed to be done. We needed leverage—”

A cruel laugh cuts him off.

Toji shakes his head in amused disbelief, then moves—snatching the dead man by the collar, hauling him up like a ragdoll and slamming him down onto the table in front of Naoya.

The table jolts. A stack of yen shifts slightly. Leaning in, Toji presses a hand to the corpse’s face, twisting it toward him.

“…honestly?” his voice drops to a razor-thin edge. “This is how your fucking face should look right now.”

He holds it there, letting Naoya see every ruin of it. Then lets go, letting the corpse slump back into the table.

“But…” Toji sighs, wiping the back of his hand along his jaw, smearing blood like it’s no more than sweat. “Lucky for you… I need you lookin' pretty. So they don’t catch on.”

Naoya is stunned, frozen, desperately trying to piece together what the fuck to say, while Mei hums, still thumbing through her cash, unfazed. He tries to roll his shoulders back, to remember who the hell he is, but the tension sits thick in his bones.

C’mon now…

He didn’t mess up. Right? Not really.

He was just doing what needed to be done. That’s what he tells himself—over and over, even as his gut twists tighter. After all, breaking into Gojo’s house wasn’t a mistake. It was necessary.

Strategic. Calculated.

He had to find something to use against that smug bastard. Had to find something to remind you what happens when you step out of line.

Clearly it's not because he cared. Not because he gave a shit about what you were doing. Just leverage. Just... business.

That’s all it was.

…except it wasn’t. Not really.

Clenching his jaw, Naoya hates the flicker of truth that stirs under the layers of justification. Because he hadn’t been looking for evidence. He’d been looking for you.

For proof you were miserable without him. For proof you hadn’t actually slipped free. Because Naoya was a man who didn’t lose. Not women. Not anything. It was second nature—the way they folded. Under his voice. His anger. His hands. And you—you had been no different.

Until you were.

Until you walked out without permission. Until you looked him in the eye and told him no.

The thought curdles hot in his blood.

You were supposed to be broken without him. Begging. Waiting. Not smiling. Not building a life. And sure as hell not fucking Satoru Gojo.

So… maybe he hadn’t gone into Gojo’s house for leverage after all. Maybe he’d gone in because he needed to remind himself he still mattered. Still had power. Control. Because if you had really moved on—really slipped away—what does that make him?

Weak? Forgettable? Nothing?

Naoya grits his teeth so hard his jaw aches.

Fuck no.

Naoya Zenin doesn’t lose. Not to you. Not to anybody.

The silence lingers, and as Toji straightens slowly, his gaze drops, catching on something—just a flicker of red lace peeking from the edge of Naoya’s pocket. He shifts.

“What’s this?” and Naoya tenses as he reaches down, two fingers hooking the fabric from his pocket.

Panties.

Holding them up, Toji’s lips press together in a flat, humorless line.

“…this what you brought back?” he asks, voice dry, tossing the panties onto the table, inches from the corpse’s hand. “Jesus fucking Christ, Naoya…”

Across the table, Mei’s brow lifts, flicking through another bundle. “Classy,” she hums, amused.

Naoya straightens abruptly, chair scraping across the floor. “It wasn’t like that,” he blurts. “I—”

“Don’t.” Toji raises a hand, palm open. His voice doesn’t rise, but it slices through the room.

He looks down at the lace again.

“Let’s see if I’ve got this right…” he says slowly. “…you break into Gojo’s house without my permission… stir up shit we weren’t ready to stir—” His gaze snaps back to Naoya, seething. “And you come back with that?”

Naoya scoffs, brittle and defensive. He fumbles for his phone, tapping the screen like it proves something.

“Look, ‘cuz—this wasn’t about her. I got real shit. Photos. Documents. Things we can actually use. I know we needed leverage—”

“We didn’t need shit.”

Toji’s voice is like ice. He snatches the phone from Naoya’s hand, tossing it onto the table with a heavy clack. It spins, landing crooked against the corpse’s elbow.

Leaning in, the weight of him towers above Naoya, like a shadow.

“We agreed to use her to take him down. Clean. Quiet.” He pauses. “You went off script.”

Naoya shifts, stiff, shoulders tense.

Toji doesn’t back off.

“This isn’t about Gojo anymore,” he says, quieter now. “It’s about you, Naoya. You can’t see straight. You’re too caught up in your fucking toy.”

Blinking, Naoya opens his mouth, only to close it again—jaw flexing. He’s speechless, and Toji nods slowly, as if confirming something to himself. Pulling away, he exhales—running a hand through his hair, contemplating.

“…you know why I’ve let her stay breathing this long?”

Naoya’s brow furrows, “…why?”

Toji’s mouth curls into something that isn’t quite a smile. “Because you wanted her.” He shrugs. “Just me being a nice cousin, I guess.” He leans a knuckle on the edge of the table. “Plus… figured letting Gojo have her would keep you focused. Make it personal. Y'know... keep your edge sharp.”

Mei doesn’t stop counting, but there’s a faint twitch at the corner of her lips as Toji lets the silence stretch. The room holds its breath.

“Buuut… she’s clouding your judgment that badly, huh?” he mutters, rolling his neck, slow and lazy. “…maybe I should just kill her.”

Naoya jerks forward so fast the chair scrapes across the floor again.

“Don’t,” he snaps. “She’s mine to—”

Toji’s fist is moving before his last word is even fully out—straight to Naoya’s chest—brass knuckles biting deep.

Gasping, Naoya doubles over. The air rips from his lungs in one crushed breath, and he grabs the edge of the table, knuckles white, wheezing. But Toji doesn’t even look angry. He just brushes a drop of blood from his wrist, flicking it to the floor.

“That’s the last time you raise your fucking voice to me…” he says quietly, leaning one hand flat on the table. “Get your shit together. Start thinking with your head—not your fucking dick. You’re not the one who makes the calls. I’m the one running this clan, are we clear?”

Naoya doesn’t answer. Can’t. He’s still wheezing, hunched over the table like the air might never fully return to his lungs. Straightening, Toji refills his sake glass—slow, unhurried—as if the conversation’s already over. And across the table, the red lace sits exactly where it landed. Bloodied, silent—still sitting in plain sight.

Mei picks up a ruby ring, turning it under the low light.

“Well…” she sighs, slipping it onto her finger, “if we’re taking votes, I’d love to kill the bitch. She’s getting a little too cozy in my house.”

Taking a slow sip, Toji doesn’t answer. His eyes are still locked on Naoya’s crumpled figure—like he’s weighing whether this was a warning or the warmup.

Propping her chin in her palm, Mei watches the ring flash red as it catches the light.

“She walks the halls like she owns them,” she murmurs. “Like she thinks she’s safe.”

Toji’s gaze flicks back to the lace on the table.

“She won’t be for much longer.”

A deep breath pulls through Naoya’s teeth, rough and shaky. He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, then plants an elbow against the table—trying to think.

There’s blood in the air, metal in his teeth. The corpse on the table is already cooling, but the heat in Toji’s glare hasn’t faded.

You die if he slips again. And… if you die before he wins—before you look him in the eye and regret leaving—before he gets to make you need him again—then he loses forever.

And Naoya Zenin doesn’t lose.

Straightening, his breath finally steadies, and he forces the words out like they were always part of the plan.

“…she agreed to meet me,” he mutters.

Toji glances at him. Just a flick of the eyes.

“Did she?”

“Yeah…” Naoya nods once. “Tomorrow. The park by the river.” A pause. “She… thinks I want to talk.”

It sounds steadier than it should.

Because the truth is? He’s not sure what the fuck he’s doing anymore. He tells himself this is strategy. A setup. Another angle in the plan.

But in reality?

It’s need. It’s obsession. It’s him clawing at the fraying ends of something he used to hold in his hand like a leash.

Mei hums, unimpressed, setting the ruby down again.

“If she’s dumb enough to show up,” she shrugs, “she’s dumb enough to disappear.”

Naoya scoffs, jaw twitching.

You'll come.

“I never said she was smart.”

Mei smiles faintly, flipping a coin between her fingers. “No. Just smart enough to run before you tightened your leash.”

Leaning back, Naoya’s chair creaks under him.

“She still listens when I talk, doesn’t she?” His voice is low, mean. “Still flinches when I go quiet. Means she remembers her place.”

For a second, he almost believes it.

Mei glances at him, sideways.

“And yet… here you are,” she says. “Fumbling for control like a man who’s already lost it.”

Naoya’s glare snaps sharp, hot.

“Fuck you, Mei. She’ll come crawling back. Just you wait. She still wants me.”

Toji exhales through his nose, sharp and tired—like he’s heard this all before and it’s not worth the energy anymore.

“Oh, shut the fuck up—both of you.” He sets his glass down with a soft clink—a sound that lands heavier than any fist. His gaze cuts to Naoya—sharp, certain. “So. Tomorrow. You set this up?”

Hesitating, Naoya’s hand tightens around the edge of the table. The tension in his shoulders is like a drawn wire.

“Yeah…” he says finally.

Toji watches for a beat—then nods, like the final piece has just slotted into place.

“Alright. Then we’ll use it.” He steps forward, planting both hands on the table—casual, but weighted. “You show up. Smile. Play the part. Whatever version of ‘sorry’ she still falls for.”

Leaning in, Naoya’s eyes narrow. “Okay… sure. And where will you be?”

Toji smirks. “In the trees.” he rises, adjusting the cuffs of his sleeves. “We take her. And once she’s gone, Gojo will lose his goddamn mind.”

Mei perks up slightly, glancing up from her stack of bills.

“That’s the fun part.”

Toji nods. “If there's no mother, there's no custody. She vanishes—and before the hearing? The court eats that shit up alive. They’ll label her unstable. Reckless. Unfit.” He looks at Naoya. “Haru goes to you. And so long as you don’t fuck this up, you’ll get to keep your toy.” A beat. “And Gojo? He’ll fall apart trying to find her. Every camera. Every connection. He’ll tear his whole fucking empire down just to get to her.”

Naoya’s lip curls. Smug. That’s what he wants. But Toji doesn’t let it breathe.

“And when he’s desperate enough…” Toji steps closer. His voice drops. “He bends. He crawls. For her. For the kid.”

Mei smirks faintly, thumbing through another bill.

“Break the girl, break the man.”

Toji nods once. The final move in a game he’s already won. His eyes drop to the red lace still crumpled between the yen and the corpse’s elbow.

“Once you say the word, Naoya. We move.” He straightens, pulling his jacket off the back of the chair and sliding it over his shoulders. “We’ll be sure to wire you in the morning.” His voice is cool. Measured. “I’ll be listening in. Just give me the signal—

a pause

—and I take her.”

ꨄ

A knock at the door.

Haru stiffens beside you, her small fingers curling tight into the hem of your hoodie. You’re still barefoot, still warm from sleep, but something in you mirrors her instinct—your spine straightens, breath pausing at the thought of who’s on the other side.

“That’ll be them,” Satoru is already rising with a low stretch, dragging a hand through his hair as he strides toward the hallway.

The door swings open a moment later.

Nanami Kento.

He stands framed in the entryway like a man sculpted from stillness—tall, clean-cut, his suit so crisply pressed it looks like it could cut glass. Blonde hair swept neatly back, glasses catching the light, his expression unreadable.

Reserved, but not cold—the kind of man who makes silence feel like structure.

Surveying the room, he nods, stepping inside with measured ease, placing his suitcase down by the door. A moment later, Suguru follows behind him, all relaxed posture and familiar warmth—scarf loose, coat half-buttoned, hands tucked casually into his pockets.

“Mornin’,” Suguru greets softly, a quiet knowing nod.

You nod back. “Morning…”

Satoru shuts the door and leans into it, grin already tugging at his lips.

“Well, shit,” he drawls, eyes sliding toward Nanami. “You actually came.”

Nanami exhales like he’s already regretting it. “…you texted twelve times.”

Satoru pushes off the doorframe with a little whine, his steps lazy and exaggerated. “Yeah, well. You weren’t answering your phone,” he pouts. “I was starting to think you finally blocked me.”

“If that worked,” Nanami says dryly, “I’d have done it ten years ago.”

“Aww, you say the sweetest things, Nanamin~” Satoru beams, clapping a hand around his shoulder, giving him a warm, too-familiar shake. “Still stiff as a board, I see. What gives, Malaysia didn’t loosen you up?”

Exhaling, Nanami adjusts his jacket, like he’s resetting the moment.

“…I thought I was retired.”

Behind him, Suguru hums, unwrapping his scarf and hanging it over the rack.

“Was.”

Satoru’s grin broadens, playful as ever.

“You love me too much to stay gone.”

“I regret it already…” Nanami mutters.

“You should,” Suguru adds, smirking as he slips off his coat. “But we’re grateful you showed up.”

“Yes… well,” Nanami smooths a crease from his sleeve, voice quieter now. “…you said it was important.”

Satoru pauses, his smile shifting—quieter now, less playful.

“It is...”

His gaze flicks to you. Then down to Haru, still clinging to your leg like a koala. Straightening, his cocky smile returns—just enough to cut the weight in the room.

“Nanami… meet the only people on earth who still tolerate me,” he gestures grandly, a magician presenting his final trick. “My girls.”

Turning fully towards you, Nanami’s head dips in a small, courteous bow.

“Mrs. Gojo,” he says, voice even. “It’s a pleasure. I’m Kento.”

“Kento,” you echo with a nod, offering a soft smile. “Nice to meet you too.”

Your hand moves gently along Haru’s back, a quiet reassurance she doesn’t take. She’s glued to your leg, her little body half-hidden in the folds of your hoodie, face tucked into the fabric like it’s a shield.

Smoothing a hand down in slow, comforting strokes, you glance up at Nanami with a small, apologetic smile.

“She’s a little shy around new people…” your gaze dips down to her. “Haru? Sweetie… can you say hi to Mr. Nanami?”

Lowering his gaze, Nanami studies her in silence. He doesn’t step forward. Doesn’t crouch. Doesn’t crowd. Just waits—still and calm.

Haru peeks. Then retreats.

“Nanamin, c’mon man…” Satoru groans behind you. “You trying to scare her into a lifetime of therapy?”

Nanami doesn’t even blink. “I… haven’t said anything?”

“Exactly,” Satoru sighs, rubbing a hand over his jaw. “She’s timid around serious people. And you, my friend, look like you do taxes in your sleep.”

But glancing down at Haru, Satoru hesitates—just for a beat.

Because there are still days—quiet, strange days—when he’s unsure how to comfort her. When her small flinches echo louder in his chest than they should. When he wonders if he’s failed before he’s even begun. When her silence makes him feel like he’s still standing on the outside of a door he desperately wants to be let into.

Sometimes he wonders if he’s more stranger than safety.

But then, he breathes out, settling on the rug beside her, careful not to startle. He doesn’t speak at first. Just reaches out, resting a hand gently against the small of her back—steady, grounding.

“Haru…” he murmurs, softer, more measured. “Sweetheart…”

She doesn’t look up.

Leaning closer, he keeps his tone light. “Hey… this is my friend. Nanamin.”

She peeks. Just a flash of her eye.

“…Nanamin?” she murmurs, muffled against the hoodie.

“Mhm,” Satoru nods, grin softening as he gently brushes a knuckle along her cheek. “He’s gonna help protect you and Mommy for me.”

Blinking, her grip shifts, loosening your hoodie slightly.

“He’s not scary,” Satoru whispers, conspiratorial now, as if sharing a very important secret. “Promise. He doesn’t eat kids. Just spreadsheets. And sometimes bad guys.”

That earns the softest giggle—thin and breathy, curling beneath her lips like something fragile finally surfacing. And Satoru’s chest warms with it—like sun cracking through a cloudy morning.

With a heavy breath, his hand settles over her back again, reassuring. She doesn’t flinch this time. Clearing his throat, Nanami brings your attention back to him.

“…may I?” he asks you, removing his glasses, gesturing to the space on the rug in front of her.

“Oh, yes.” You nod, caught a little off guard by his gentle tone. “Of course.”

Crouching slowly, the fabric of his suit whispers against itself as he settles into the space. Not too close. Just close enough.

“Hello there,” his voice is low and warm. “…may I ask your name?”

Hiding her face, Haru grips your sweater tighter. Refusing to answer.

“It’s okay, sweetheart,” you lean down, soothing her. “Go on. You can tell him.”

A pause.

Then, she tentatively whispers, “…Haru.”

Nanami nods, like she’s given him something sacred.

“That’s a beautiful name, Haru.”

She doesn’t respond. Not with words, at least. But her fingers loosen, and her eyes lift—still cautious, but no longer retreating.

From it, Nanami reaches into his coat pocket. There’s something about the gesture—precise, but quiet—that draws Haru’s attention. When his hand reemerges, he’s holding a folded crane. Pale blue paper patterned with tiny clouds. He sets it gently on the rug between them, like it’s always meant to be there.

“I made this on the train,” he says simply. “I thought you might like it.”

Haru blinks, slowly lowering herself to her knees, studying the crane with wide eyes.

Still crouched nearby, Satoru raises a brow. “Wait. You made that?”

Nanami doesn’t look at him. “Yes.”

“Origami?”

“Yes.”

“…the fuck?”

Behind him, Suguru’s voice drifts in with a faint laugh. “He’s been folding paper since middle school. You never noticed?”

Satoru whips his head around to look at him, genuinely affronted. “How have I never known this?!”

Suguru shrugs, unbothered. “Because you were too busy getting suspended for throwing erasers out the window.”

Nanami doesn’t react. Just keeps his focus gently on the little girl in front of him.

“You can keep it,” he tells her. “If you’d like.”

Looking up at him, Haru slowly stretches forward, picking up the crane like it’s something precious, like it might fly away if she touches it too roughly. Something meant for her.

“…it’s pretty,” she whispers.

Satoru rises with a groan, stretching as he leans against the wall beside Suguru, arms folded, eyes narrowed in mock betrayal.

“…she warmed up to him faster than she did to me.”

Suguru grins. “She’s got good taste.”

Satoru pouts, muttering, “I make her waffles…”

But before Suguru can toss another jab, the soft click of the front door handle breaks the moment—the familiar twist of metal, the hush of hinges swinging open.

The energy shifts. And then—Remi steps inside.

Her heels tap lightly against the floor, coat draped perfectly over her shoulders, a scarf knotted at her throat with practiced elegance. She pauses in the entryway, looking surprised to see so many people in the foyer, but it fades quickly behind a polished smile.

“Hi Haru!” she calls brightly, saccharine sweet.

Haru’s head whips up, eyes wide.

“Remi!” she gasps, nearly dropping the paper crane in her hands—taking off in a rush of quick footsteps, throwing her arms around Remi’s legs, giggling. “You’re here!”

Crouching down to return the hug, Remi softens with a familiar ease. “Of course I am, sweetheart,” her fingers tuck a curl behind Haru’s ear. “I’m excited to play with you today!”

From his place near the wall, Satoru straightens, unfolding slowly from where he’s been leaning—expression neutral, but watching closely.

“Ah, Remi…” he says, tilting his head slightly. “Meant to text you earlier. Should’ve mentioned.”

You glance toward him, brow furrowing. And she glances up, blinking once.

“Oh?”

“Yeah, sorry you came all the way down here. But you’re not needed today.” He gestures loosely towards you. “My wife’s staying home. So go ahead and take the day off, yeah?”

You blink, startled. He didn’t mention that. Usually Remi stays to help, regardless. Still—

…you guess it makes sense, doesn’t it?

You’re home. Haru’s home. So... of course you wouldn’t need the nanny. Brushing the surprise off, you tuck it away.

Remi hesitates just a second too long—her lashes flickering, eyes jumping from Satoru to you… then drifting, just barely, toward the unfamiliar man crouched on the rug beside Haru.

Nanami is already rising, adjusting the cuffs of his sleeves with quiet, deliberate calm. And for a moment, you feel it—a ripple beneath the surface. Nothing you can name. Just a shift.

Remi’s smile returns quickly, but there’s a brittleness to it now. “I see,” she smooths her coat, standing upright. “Well…” she shifts her purse on her shoulder. “I’ll just—leave you all to it, then.”

But Haru, still clutching her hand, pulls her back with the urgency of someone who needs to share something important. “Wait! Look!” she holds up the crane, beaming. “Nanamin made this for me!”

Remi blinks, eyes dropping to the crane, lingering for a second too long, and when she looks up again, her smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

“How lovely…” she murmurs. “You take good care of it, alright sweetheart?”

“I will!” Haru chirps, already turning back toward Nanami, fingers curled around the little wings.

Releasing her hand, Remi steps back, moving toward the door. Her heels tap gently against the marble as she passes behind Satoru, casting a fleeting glance in Nanami’s direction. Then she leaves—the door closing—a soft, decisive click.

“Nanamin,” Haru says brightly, lifting the crane with both hands. “What’s his name?”

Leaning forward, Nanami’s forearms rest gently on his knees.

“He doesn’t have one yet… but I think he’s waiting for you to choose.”

Tilting her head, Haru’s eyes flick between the delicate folds of the crane and Nanami’s face.

“But… I don’t know what he wants to be.”

Nanami hums, studying the little paper bird. “Hmm… he looks like a Sora to me. That means ‘sky’ in Japanese. Peaceful. Light. Brave. Seems fitting… don’t you think?”

Haru’s eyes brighten. “Sora…” she repeats softly, looking down at the crane with newfound reverence. “Okay! That’s his name.”

“A very good choice,” Nanami smiles gently.

Beaming, she inches closer, holding the crane up between them like an offering.

“Can you help me make one?”

You chuckle under your breath, looking down at your daughter.

“She’s going to want a whole family of them by the end of the day…”

Nanami looks up, giving you a wry smile, and you glance toward Satoru, still leaning against the wall. His arms are folded, but there’s something softer in his eyes now. Something almost protective.

His gaze is on Haru, but then it flicks to you. And you know—without him saying a word—he’s relieved. And honestly? You are too. Because Haru’s earlier anxiety has dissolved entirely—like mist lifting from the floor. You hadn’t even realized your shoulders were still tense until now. Because you weren’t sure what to expect with this Nanami Kento… but if he’s someone Satoru is trusting you with? Then… you will trust him too.

“Do you have paper?” Nanami asks you, then turns his attention back to Haru. “If we have paper, I’d be happy to show you Haru.”

“Yay!!” she squeals, scampering off—voice trailing behind her as she rambles about colors, wingspans, and how the next crane should have a name that means rainbow.

Starting to rise, you instinctively begin to follow her, but a familiar voice draws you back.

“Well then… we’re gonna head out,” Suguru calls from near the door, adjusting his coat with one hand.

Satoru groans as he pushes off the wall, stretching his arms overhead. “Duty calls…” he mutters, dragging a hand over his face before walking toward you.

“Oh… right.” Nodding, you meet him halfway—him stopping in front of you. As your eyes meet, there’s something different in the way he holds your gaze. Something gentler.

“Hey…” his hand lifts to tuck a piece of hair behind your ear—fingers lingering a beat too long. “You’ll… be alright?”

“Yeah…” you nod once, but the gesture carries weight. A dozen things you don’t say. That you’re still a little nervous. That you know he’s been trying to keep you at ease. That you hate this. That you wish he wasn’t leaving. That you know why he has to.

That despite everything… you have a gut feeling why he hired Nanami. And that… you trust him, unconditionally.

He’s studying you—really studying you—gaze moving across your features, searching, as if trying to read the things your mouth won’t form. And when your eyes flick away—when your lips press into something tight and fragile—he exhales.

“Hmmm…” his arms warp around your waist, swaying. “If I tell Naoya to go to hell and cancel this… would you be mad?”

You blink up at him, startled. “Wait… what?”

“I’m serious,” he says, eyes narrowing. “Give me one reason. I’ll stay.”

You pause, caught between the earnestness in his voice and the way it cracks your chest open. A soft breath escapes your lips—a laugh, small but real. And that alone makes his shoulders ease just slightly.

“Satoru…” you say, gently. “You… you can’t,” you sigh, swallowing. “For the custody battle… for Haru. You have to go talk to him.”

“Yeah… I know,” he mutters, exhaling. “Still doesn’t mean I like leaving… especially not when your face looks like that.”

You pause, lifting a brow. “Oh? What face?”

“The one that makes me want to deck him twice before we’ve even said hello.”

A light giggle slips past your lips, and that smile, that sound—it’s everything he needs, every assurance that tells him it’s going to be okay. You’re going to be okay.

...right?

His hand moves again, brushing a knuckle down your cheek, thumb tracing your jaw. Then, slowly, he leans in, pressing a kiss to your forehead—slow, steady. Like a vow. Like he’s sealing something in the silence.

But as he lingers there, words begin to build behind his lips—the urge to say it.

I love you.

It’s there. Pressing hard against the back of his throat. Lingering. Long enough to consider saying it. But…

No. Fuck… not here. Not yet. Suguru’s watching. Nanami’s waiting. Haru’s nearby, chattering about paper cranes and rainbows like it’s the most important thing in the world.

So instead, he swallows it down, tucking it somewhere safe, resting on something smaller.

“Be back soon…” he murmurs into your hair, a little hoarse. “…I’ll miss you.”

You nod, but your fingers curl into the front of his coat, grounding him for just a second longer. “I’ll miss you too,” you murmur.

Pulling back, a slow smile tugs at his lips—quiet, lopsided. The kind he only ever gives you. Then, reluctantly, he steps away, turning toward the rug where Haru is—Sora in hand.

“Bye, sweetheart,” he crouches beside her, brushing a lock of hair from her face. “You be good for Mommy and Nanamin, okay?”

“Okay…” Haru nods, clutching her crane to her chest. “Bye-bye, ‘toru.”

Chuckling, he taps her nose gently, rising—adjusting the hem of his coat. Nanami is already at the door, waiting with a quiet kind of stillness that feels more like assurance than impatience.

Satoru joins him. But before stepping past, he turns for one last look.

You’re seated now on the rug, watching Haru chatter excitedly about crane friends and rainbows. Your hands guide hers through another fold, her head bows in concentration. And while you’re there, smiling at her, nodding at whatever she’s saying, something about it… roots him.

For a moment, he just stands there, watching. Quiet. Still. Then, without turning away, he speaks to Nanami.

“I’m trusting you with my family.”

Nanami blinks, not answering at first. Satoru’s voice is quiet. Stripped of his usual wit.

Honest.

He hesitates. Not because he’s unsure—but because he knows the weight of that statement. Because he hears something in it that Satoru Gojo rarely gives: vulnerability.

After a moment, Nanami nods. “…I know.”

And Satoru nods back, something faint and unspoken passing between them. A trust that didn’t need proving—but was given anyway.

Exhaling, Satoru steps out as Suguru pushes the door open beside him.

“Try not to give her a spreadsheet to color, kay?” he waves, half-grinning as he steps out.

Nanami lifts a brow. “…I’ll do my best.”

And then they’re gone.

The door clicks closed behind them, the house exhales. The warmth returns, but underneath it… a stillness lingers. Like the moment before a thread pulls taut.

You shift on the rug beside Haru, who’s holding out a new sheet of paper in both hands like it’s a treasure.

“Nanamin!!” she calls. “This one’s gonna be Sora’s friend. Can you help?”

And settling beside her, they begin again.

“Of course, Haru.”

ꨄ

“You’re staring at the ceiling like it owes you money.”

Slouching in the limo’s leather seat, a low hum rumbles in Satoru’s chest—like he’s tuning Suguru out entirely. One leg stretches out, the other hooks casually over his knee. His head is tipped back against the headrest and his arm is tucked lazily behind it—sunglasses perched in his snowy hair haphazardly.

As the car glides beneath them, smooth and muffled, the outside world is reduced to shapes behind tinted windows. Across from him, Suguru sits—phone in hand, thumb idly scrolling. But his eyes linger on Satoru, drawn to the quiet focus in his best friend’s expression.

Suguru sighs, nudging the sole of Satoru’s shoe with the tip of his own.

“Oi!”

Satoru startles just enough to be annoyed. “The hell—”

“I’m talking to you,” Suguru deadpans.

“You could’ve just said my name like a normal person…” Satoru huffs.

“I did. Twice. You ignored me. Kicking you was plan B.”

A long, exaggerated exhale drags through Satoru’s nose—long suffering. He shifts, arms crossing loosely as he leans back into his seat again, eyes fluttering closed like maybe if he fakes sleep, Suguru will let it go.

He doesn’t.

“You’ve been quiet for five whole minutes,” Suguru muses. “Should I be worried?”

Smirking, Satoru cracks a blue eye open. “Wow. You want me to talk more? Frame this moment. Call the press.”

Suguru rolls his eyes. “I’m just saying…” he shifts, slipping his phone into his coat pocket, leaning an elbow on the armrest. “…I’m not used to seeing your mouth closed. It’s unnerving.”

Satoru’s smirk stretches deeper. “Yeah?” he lets his eye fall shut again, shifting deeper into the seat with a low, amused hum. “That’s rich coming from the guy who used to make me sit through his existential philosophy rants after two beers,” he murmurs.

Clicking his tongue, Suguru grins. “Yeah, well. At least I shut up when the beer runs out.”

“Mmm… touché,” Satoru chuckles.

For a moment, the silence returns—lingering as Suguru glances at him sideways, reading between the lines. He sighs.

“C’mon… what’s really up?” he asks, tilting his head. “You’ve got that expression again.”

Raising a brow, Satoru’s eyes open.

“What expression?” he plays dumb.

Suguru rolls his eyes, seeing straight through his bullshit.

“The one where your brain’s running a marathon and none of us are invited.”

Giving in, Satoru exhales—long, deep. Like it’s the first real breath he’s taken in minutes.

“Dunno,” he mutters, arms dropping, fingers running back through his hair. “Just… thinkin’, I guess.”

His gaze shifts toward the window, and the city slides past in streaks of motion blur—gray buildings, flashes of glass and steel. Everything feels like it’s moving too fast and not fast enough all at once.

Suguru doesn’t push. Just watches—tracking the shift in his tone. He already knows where this is going. There’s only one thing that’s been able to slow Satoru Gojo down lately. Only one person.

“…about your wife?”

Satoru’s eyes flick to him, a hum slipping from his throat—low, almost sheepish.

“Yeah…” he says quietly. “She’s in my head a lot lately.”

Leaning back in his seat, Suguru’s arms fold loosely across his chest.

“You’re different with her.”

A slow smile curls at Satoru’s mouth, wry and self-aware. “Psh… is that your way of saying I’m whipped?”

“No,” Suguru replies dryly. “That’s my way of saying you’re not acting like a complete jackass for once. Never thought I’d see the day.”

“Wow,” Satoru gasps, clutching his chest with mock betrayal. “Touching. Really. Remind me to put that on a plaque.”

“Yup. With her, your… serious. Less obnoxious. Honestly?” Suguru pauses for effect. “Slightly tolerable.”

“Jesus,” Slouching deeper into his seat, Satoru tosses one arm over his face with theatrical flair. “I’m being bullied,” he whines, muffled. “Bullied in my own limo. Suguru, say something nice before I cry.”

“No,” Suguru corrects, barely holding back a grin. “This is an intervention.”

Satoru peeks out from under his arm, his pout barely hidden beneath the feigned theatrics. “You used to be nicer to me.”

“Yeah, well,” Suguru shrugs, resting his head lightly against the tinted window. “You used to be single.”

That pulls a low laugh from Satoru’s chest, his hand dragging through his hair as he sighs—deep, thoughtful. The humor lingers, but so does something heavier beneath it.

“I dunno…” he mumbles, scratching the back of his neck. “It’s not like I haven’t been with people. But with her…” he trails off, struggling to articulate something that still feels too big, too personal.

Suguru fills in the blank for him.

“You don’t want to fuck it up.”

Satoru huffs a breath that’s almost a laugh. “Yeah… that.”

“She’s got you all twisted, man,” Suguru says, shaking his head with a grin. “You, the guy who ghosted a girl for bringing a toothbrush.”

Satoru groans like he’s already regretting ever telling him that story. Grimacing, he tosses a hand in the air. “That toothbrush was aggressive…” he mutters, like that justifies everything. “She left it in my sink on the second date.”

“Right… and now here you are, firing your entire staff after someone steals your wife’s panties?”

Groaning loudly, Satoru drags both hands down his face. “Don’t start.”

Suguru snickers, clearly enjoying himself. “I’m just saying—when Satoru Gojo starts launching internal investigations over lace? That’s not casual.”

“Fuck off,” Satoru groans again, voice muffled by his palms.

Leaning forward slightly, Suguru rests his chin in his hand.

“It’s just…” his expression softens. “I’m pretty sure this is the most serious you’ve ever been about anyone.”

For a moment, Satoru says nothing. His eyes flick toward the passing city again—then shift back to Suguru, and when he speaks, the joking tone is gone. There’s no smirk, no dramatic pout. Just truth, laid plain.

“Yeah… well…” he murmurs, voice low. “She’s it, y’know?”

He holds Suguru’s gaze.

“…she’s my one and only.”

That makes Suguru pause.

Something in his face stills. It’s not like he didn’t know—but hearing it like that, from Satoru, who never says anything like that? It lands.

“Well… damn,” Suguru mutters.

Satoru nods, slow and firm, like he’s still trying to believe it himself. Like saying it out loud makes it more real.

“Last night…” his eyes fix on the skyline again. “I told her I loved her.”

Suguru blinks. A beat of stunned silence settles between them.

“…holy shit.”

A faint smirk tugs at Satoru’s mouth. He nods again, almost sheepish.

Suguru straightens, brow arching. “She say it back?”

Satoru snorts under his breath. “She was asleep.”

Suguru stares. “You confessed to a sleeping woman?”

“I didn’t plan it, alright?” Satoru groans, flopping back against the seat like it physically pains him. “It just came out. We were talking… I was lying there with her in my arms, and it just—happened,” he scrubs a hand over his face, dragging it down in frustration. “And after I said it, I looked down and she was already out. Just… totally asleep.”

Suguru stares at him for a moment, then shakes his head with a quiet laugh. “You’re a fucking idiot.”

“Thanks,” Satoru deadpans.

“So… now what?” Suguru asks.

Leaning forward, Satoru’s forearms brace against his knees, palms rubbing together like he’s grounding himself. His voice drops again—quieter, more measured.

“I guess… I wait? Or try again,” he sighs, pausing. “But… I want to do it right. This time, I want her to hear it. I want her to know I mean it...” His hands fall still, eyes dropping to the floor. “She deserves that… a real proposal. A real wedding. Not… whatever the hell I dragged her into.”

For a moment, neither of them speaks. The limo hums along, the gentle rhythm of the road filling the silence like background music to something neither of them wants to admit feels heavy.

Then—click—the intercom above the driver’s seat crackles softly to life.

“We’re about five minutes out,” Ichiji’s voice chimes through, polite as always. “Approaching the south entrance of the park now.”

Satoru blinks, dragging a hand down his face like the sound physically yanks him out of his thoughts. Leaning back, he eyes the window again—but the skyline has faded now, replaced by iron railings and leaf-heavy trees, blurring past.

Suguru exhales, straightening in his seat.

“So… remember what we discussed,” Suguru murmurs. “You want me to start?”

Satoru shifts, pulling his sunglasses from where they’re perched in his hair, sliding them into place over his eyes. His expression hardens, smoothing into something unreadable.

It’s like watching armor click into place.

“I’ll start,” he declares. “If he gets mouthy, feel free to step in and hurt his feelings.”

Suguru huffs a laugh, pulling his long hair into a lazy bun at the nape of his neck. “Sounds like a plan. Just… don’t underestimate him. Stay alert, this is the yakuza we’re dealing with. And try not to lash out. Anything you say, he’s gonna try to use against you.”

"Yeah..." Satoru nods once, slow. His jaw ticks. "I know..."

And he'll do whatever's needed, whatever he needs to do.

For you.

ꨄ

The wind bites through the trees with purpose, and Naoya adjusts the cuff of his coat, eyes fixed on the empty path ahead, foot tapping against the stone beneath him. His nerves are fraying—not that he’d admit it—but this waiting game has never suited him. Waiting implies he’s not in control. And he is in control. Always has been.

Glancing down at his watch, he exhales, irritated.

Where the fuck are you?

You said you’d come.

And you always do, don’t you? Compliance is a habit. He made sure of that. And when you show up today—alone, nervous, eyes soft with apology—it’ll confirm everything. That you’re his.

That’s why you’re coming today… right? Because deep down, you want to come back. You still need him.

And he’s not unreasonable, okay?! God, he’s not cruel. Not unless you push him. Not unless you make him be. He only ever raised his voice because you forced him to. He only grabbed your wrist because you weren’t listening. He had to yell, to break you when you left him no choice.

You’re just being difficult. You’ve always been a little emotional, haven’t you? Fragile. Confused. You run away, cry—then crawl back. Right now, you’re just spiraling—latching onto anything that feels safe. And maybe Gojo feels safe to you right now. Sure. He’s got the money. The house. The image.

But given time, you’ll remember who you belong to.

He almost convinces himself of it, and then, as a black limo rolls into view—tires crunching over gravel—he straightens, lips curling in amusement.

Finally.

Well… that is, until the door opens with a hiss and two silhouettes step out.

Satoru. Fucking. Gojo.

White hair catching the gray light, hands shoving in his pockets, like nothing here is serious enough to touch him. That stupid, lazy grin already on his face. And beside him, Suguru Geto—all quiet control, eyes scanning the space.

Naoya stills. No you.

…where the fuck are you?

You said you’d come. His lips pull back into a snarl.

“God fucking dammit…” he mutters, jaw clenching as the door closes behind them.

The earpiece in his collar clicks. “What?” Toji’s voice filters through.

Naoya doesn’t answer right away—eyes narrowing as Gojo lifts his hand in a lazy wave, like this is some social call, like greeting an old friend. Like Naoya’s the punchline.

“They didn’t bring her…” he growls. “It’s just Gojo and Geto.”

There’s a beat. Static hums.

“Mmm. Yup.” Toji replies. Flat. Like he saw it coming. “Figured this might happen.”

The two men begin their approach, shoes tapping over the stone in slow, deliberate steps—dragging the moment out, letting it stretch. They’re making it a fucking show. And every second of it grates under Naoya’s skin.

Growling, Naoya’s hands curl into fists inside his coat pockets.

“Fuck the plan,” he mutters. “We should just end it here, yeah?”

Toji huffs, unimpressed. “You wanna jump ‘em? In broad daylight?”

Naoya’s jaw tightens. “No one’s around. We move fast—”

“No.”

That single word lands sharp.

Naoya bristles. “What?”

“You heard me. Don’t fuck up again. Remember what happens if you do?”

Naoya falls silent and Toji grins.

Good.

Eyes narrowing, Toji watches them approach—perched in his hidden vantage point, one with the trees. He’s not worried about a fight—he’s just not stupid enough to pick the wrong one.

Gojo’s got that cocky swagger, sure—but it’s not just for show. There’s balance in his stride. Stillness in his arms, even with his hands stuffed in his pockets. His weight shifts like someone who knows where to brace if things go sideways.

He’s not posturing. He’s ready.

Because Satoru Gojo isn’t just some heir with a punchable face. Takemi made sure of that. He didn’t raise a son. Raised a successor. Something sharp in a soft coat.

And Geto—fuck, Toji hates the quiet ones. Geto’s not looking at them—not even pretending to care. Which means he’s watching everything. Lawyer or not, that kind of calm means one thing: he’s broken someone’s nose before, and didn’t lose sleep over it.

Toji could take them. Maybe. Probably.

But this isn’t about if.

It’s about when.

And where.

And what the fallout looks like.

You were easy.

One snatch. Clean. Quiet.

But this? This is different. Two men trained to react, both alert, in a public park?

That’s not control. That’s noise.

And Toji doesn’t like noise.

“They’re right here,” Naoya snaps, again. “C’mon, let’s just end him. This whole thing’s a joke if we don’t—”

“I said, no.”

This time it lands like a gunshot—sharp, final—wind moving through the branches, brittle and dry.

“I’m not here to fight him,” he exhales. “I’m here to break him. Ruin him.” He pauses, a wicked grin stretching across his lips. “And… that takes patience, ‘cuz. Our day will come.”

ꨄ

Satoru’s grin pulls slow across his mouth as they near, all teeth and lazy ease.

"Appreciate you makin’ time for us," he hums, stepping forward without a care in the world, hands tucked deep into his pockets, like he’s strolling through this encounter instead of walking into a confrontation.

Naoya’s jaw ticks.

“You’re not the one I came to see.”

Tilting his head, Satoru studies him with a laziness that’s almost mocking. His grin lingers, but there’s a shift—something colder bleeding in around the edges.

“You really thought I’d let you get within ten feet of my wife…?”

Wife.

The word detonates in Naoya’s blood, cracking through the cold air like a whip.

“Tch. What a load of shit…” he scowls. “She was never wife material to begin with.”

Shifting his weight lazily, Satoru hums, tapping his chin like he's genuinely thinking it over, just to be an asshole about it.

“I’d say it suits her,” he muses. “She looks better beside me. Softer. Happier.” He lets it hang, watching Naoya grind his teeth. “Almost like… she smiles more when you're not around.”

Naoya’s nostrils flare, body tightening under his coat like he’s one wrong word from snapping.

“She’s just clinging to you because she’s scared to be alone,” he spits, stepping forward a fraction, trying to reclaim ground he’s already lost. "Always trembling for attention... doesn’t mean she actually wants you."

Satoru’s grin doesn’t slip. If anything, it deepens—slow, wicked.

"Naaah…” he shrugs, closing the space between them without hurry, savoring it. “She trembles because I actually know how to touch her.” He quirks a brow, grinning. “I just make her feel good, in more ways than one."

Naoya’s eyes flare as Satoru casts him a lazy wink—like twisting the knife is part of the fun.

“Fuck you.”

Satoru laughs. “Did I hit a nerve?” he tilts his head, slowly. “Y’know… she leaves things with me. In my nightstand. Little things. Keepsakes. It’s kinda our thing.” He shrugs, smug. “Weird when they disappear…”

He lets it hang there for a moment.

“…you ever notice when something’s just… not where you left it?”

In Naoya’s ear, the comm hisses softly.

“Don’t react. Don’t take the bait.”

Naoya scoffs, trying to roll his shoulders loose.

“You lose something, or are we just makin conversation?”

Satoru’s grin curves slow, sharp at the edges.

“Nah… not lost. Just gone. There’s a difference.”

Studying Naoya, Satoru’s gaze flicks downward—to his hand—to the bandage wrapped around his palm. Clean, precise, fresh.

“Huh…” he hums softly. “That looks recent.”

Tensing, Naoya glances down at his hand before shoving it back into his coat pocket—like it’s nothing.

“Glass,” he mutters. “Broke something. Cut my palm.”

Satoru nods, contemplative. “You know…” he drawls slowly. “I couldn’t help noticing a bit of blood in my wife’s bedroom the other day.”

“Oh… yeah?” Naoya murmurs.

“Mhmm…” Satoru’s eyes narrow. “Strange, right? Seeing as none of my staff seemed hurt.”

The comm clicks again.

“Push it off you. Change the subject.”

“You’re sounding a bit paranoid Gojo,” Naoya scoffs, shifting. “If this is how you handle losing a memento, can’t imagine how you’ll handle losing in court,” Naoya straightens, smirking. “Figures she’d send her fucking lapdog to speak for her today. Little bitch was always good at pretending she was the victim. Won’t even face me.”

Satoru’s expression hardens instantly—that lazy grin vanishing in a blink. But as he feels Suguru’s hand on his shoulder, he shifts, glancing at his best friend.

Suguru is smiling, wide and unbothered—sliding between them like it’s his turn on the chessboard.

“Come on now, Naoya…” he hums, light with mock sympathy. “As a fellow lawyer, you know how this works.”

Gritting his teeth, Naoya glares. “Suguru Geto…”

“Yo.” Suguru lifts two fingers in a lazy wave. “Long time no see.”

He lets that hang for a moment before continuing.

“There’s a case open. Custody-related. Which means you shouldn’t be anywhere near my client… right?” Suguru reminds him, head tilting in amusement. “So, you’ll be directing all communication through me moving forward. I’ll be representing y/n.”

Naoya huffs, rolling his eyes. “What happened, Geto? Couldn’t cut it in real courtrooms, so you’re doing babysitting gigs for Gojo now?”

Suguru chuckles softly. “You can question my résumé if it helps you sleep at night,” his grin stretches, sharper. “Won’t change what’s coming. This case will be over faster than your career ever was.”

“Pfft. Yeah?” Naoya laughs bitterly. “Good luck building a case on her.” He sneers. “She can barely hold it together for five minutes without crying. Weak, whiny little bitch.”

Satoru’s jaw locks, heat radiating off him. “Hey. Watch your fucking mouth.”

Peering back, Suguru lifts a hand—calm, watchful.

“Satoru...”

But Naoya keeps going.

“You think you won something?” he spits. “She’s nothing but a fucking burden. Always was.”

Satoru’s blue eyes darken into something dangerous.

“I’m serious…” he steps forward, voice lowering. “You better watch your fucking mouth…”

“…that so?” Naoya raises a brow.

Bingo. He just got an idea.

Shifting on his heels, he crosses his arms behind his head lazily.

“And why’s that, Gojo? Did I hit a nerve now?

Exhaling slowly through his nose, Satoru tries to hold himself steady.

“You’ve got some fucking nerve… I’ll tell ya that.” He lowers his glasses to the bridge, glaring into Naoya’s eyes. “She carried everything you couldn’t handle… and you have the nerve to call her a burden?” he scoffs. “Tell me—did you even try being a father to Haru?”

The comm crackles in Naoya’s ear. Toji’s voice, low and amused:

“Careful. You’re about to get punched.”

But Naoya grins. Because that’s exactly what he wants.

“Don’t even get me started on her as a mother,” he scoffs. “Pathetic. A fucking failure. Can’t handle a kid, can’t handle herself. Sure—she’s got a pretty face, a hot body…” He shrugs. “But that’s it. Nothing underneath.”

Satoru’s shoulders rise, slow and stiff. Suguru shifts again.

“Satoru. Don’t…” he mutters carefully.

But Satoru’s eyes hold Naoya’s. Glare sharpening.

“I’m telling you now…” his fist clenches. “You don’t get another warning.”

Smirking, Naoya shrugs again—like he’s tossing scraps.

“Well… at least she spread her legs good,” he sighs, shaking his head. “Decent fuck. Though even then, she couldn’t finish unless someone told her she was worth the mess. Pathetic little—”

The punch lands hard. A sharp, wet crack as Naoya’s head jerks sideways—blood blooming at the corner of his mouth. Stumbling back, he hits the concrete with a thud, grinning. And Satoru surges forward again, but Suguru’s already there—arm around his chest, pulling him back firmly.

“Hey. Hey—enough.”

But Satoru’s not done.

“You say another word,” he growls, fighting Suguru’s hold, “and I swear to God I’ll bury you so deep in the ground, your own fucking clan will forget you existed.”

With an exaggerated groan, Naoya lazily wipes the blood dripping from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand.

“Ouch…” he winces, looking up, grinning. “My poor lip… I don’t think the judge is gonna like this little outburst.”

Satoru freezes, and Naoya’s grin stretches—lip split in a red smile.

“What do you think?” he muses mockingly, pulling out a recording device from his pocket. “My daughter’s stepdad… threatening to kill me in a public park.” He tsks softly. “Not exactly a good look.”

Fuck.

Satoru’s stomach drops. For a second, he just stands there, breathing hard—eyes widening. Then, without thinking, he lunges—hand shooting toward the recorder, full of blind instinct.

“Give me that! You fucking—”

But Suguru’s arm is already across his chest, yanking him back hard.

“Alright,” he mutters sharply, “that’s enough. Let it go, Satoru.”

Rising from the ground, Naoya laughs softly, dusting off his pants.

“Aww… don’t be a sore loser,” he says lightly, holding the device up mockingly. “You gave me a gift.”

Satoru’s lips press together—he’s seething. But before he can say or do more, Suguru is dragging him by the arm, heading towards the limo.

“Right then, anyways,” Suguru shouts back, waving lazily. “See ya in court, Naoya. Good talk. Till next time.”

“Sure, sure,” Naoya calls after them, voice lilting. “And you should work on your temper Gojo!” He chuckles, waving. “Afterall, it looks bad in court. Especially for someone around a kid.”

ꨄ

The limo door slams shut—so hard even Ichiji flinches from the front seat.

“Fuck,” Satoru mutters, plopping into his seat. “Fucking fuck…”

With a flick of his wrist, he tosses his sunglasses across the console. Both hands rake through his hair, tugging at the roots in frustration.

“This is bullshit…” he grits.

Exhaling through his nose, Suguru settles into the seat across from him with infuriating calm—folding one leg over the other, like he’s already miles past what just happened.

“You got blood on your cuff,” he says casually, nodding at Satoru’s sleeve.

Satoru’s gaze snaps up.

“I should’ve done more,” he growls. “Fucking prick. You heard what he said!”

“I did,” Suguru nods. “And so did your right hook. Pretty sure that’s why he was grinning through the blood.”

Groaning in defeat, Satoru runs both hands down his face.

“Shit…” he quiets. “I fucked that up…”

“Mmm… I wouldn’t go that far,” Suguru hums. Calm. Assured. “He had that punch coming. You just beat me to it.”

Peeking at him through his fingers, Satoru gives him a flat, exhausted stare.

“Dude… what the hell. You were supposed to stop me. Why didn’t you stop me?”

A slow grin tugs at Suguru’s mouth.

“You think I didn’t know he was baiting you?” he shrugs. “I figured you’d hit him. He figured you’d hit him.”

Satoru blinks. “…seriously?”

“Don’t worry about it,” he sighs, pulling a sleek black recorder from his inner jacket pocket. “Our version will hold up better in court.”

Satoru’s entire body stills. He stares down at the recorder like it’s divine intervention.

“…you were recording too?”

“I’m always recording,” Suguru replies smoothly, leaning back with a faint smile. “Especially when you’re involved.”

“Oh thank God…” Satoru’s expression softens with relief.

“It’s gonna be fine,” Suguru waves it off, shoving the recorder back in his pocket. “Your little death threat won’t matter much once the judge hears him call your wife a whore and a failed mother. Among other things.”

Satoru exhales, slumping further into the leather like all his tension has finally snapped free. His eyes close.

“…I owe you.”

“I know.”

“Like—big time.”

“You do.”

Cracking one eye open, Satoru mutters, “What do you want? Beer? Blood? My firstborn? I’ll sit through one of your 3 a.m. philosophy rants if that’s what it takes.”

Suguru’s grin widens, just slightly.

“Mmm… I’ll let you know when I think of something properly excruciating.”

Satoru huffs out a tired laugh, shaking his head.

“…thanks, man.”

ꨄ

As the limo’s tail lights disappear into the dark, Satoru stands still for a moment at the Gojo estate’s entrance, keys in hand, shoulders tight.

With a sigh, he pushes the front door open, greeted in stillness—the lights low, a soft flicker from the TV illuminating the living room in gentle color. You’re curled up on the couch, blanket tucked under your chin, eyes half-lidded as the glow washes over your face. Your hair’s a little messy, your feet barely peeking from under the throw, remote resting loosely in your hand.

You glance over as the door clicks shut behind him.

“Welcome home…” you say softly.

With a wry smile, Satoru takes a breath, like the sight of you has completely anchored him back to earth, knocking the tension out of his chest all at once.

You’re safe.

From the hallway, Nanami steps forward, hands in his pockets, as if he’d been standing quietly nearby this whole time. Watching. Not looming—just present.

“Hey…” he greets with a nod. “Haru’s asleep. No issues.”

Satoru drops his keys on the endtable. “Thanks…”

Glancing past him, Nanami’s eyes narrow on the still-closed front door briefly.

“So… everything handled?”

Satoru’s jaw tenses for a second. Then relaxes.

“Yeah…” he scratches the back of his head, shrugging. “More or less.”

“Great.” Nanami gives the barest nod. “I’ll be in my room, then.” He says, stepping back into the hallway. “Call if you need me.”

“Got it.”

And with that, Nanami disappears quietly down the hall.

Turning back to you, Satoru stands there for a beat, letting the silence wrap around him, drinking in the sight of you all cozy on the sofa. Then finally—with a soft grunt—he crosses to the couch and drops beside you, landing with a dramatic sigh, head lolling to the side to look at you with those vibrant blue eyes.

You peek over your blanket.

“…you okay?”

He smiles, tired. Lopsided.

“Yeah…” he mumbles. “Now I am.”

Shifting slightly, you lift the edge of the blanket in silent invitation, and he slides under without a word, settling in beside you, shoulders brushing. You feel the tension still clinging to him, like static.

“So…” you ask softly. “How’d it go?”

His head falls back, staring at the ceiling for a second.

“Well…” he sighs. “I only punched him once. So…” he shrugs. “Pretty good I guess.”

You blink. “Wait—you punched him?”

“Yup.”

“Like… in the face?”

He glances at you, deadpan. “Hard.”

You stare at him for a beat. “…was that part of the plan?”

He shrugs. “Define plan.”

You snort, but the edge of your smile fades as you see his expression doesn’t change—still flat, still tired. He’s spent.

“Mmm,” he sighs again, rubbing the back of his neck. “Honestly? You’re lucky I didn’t commit a felony. Fuck that guy.”

The way he says it—low, bitter, coiled with something deeper—makes your chest tighten. You don’t need to ask. You already know.

“That bad… huh?”

Exhaling again, his voice softens, like his words are slipping out without thinking.

“Yeah… I didn’t think he could piss me off more than he already did…”

Glancing over at him, you see he’s not joking anymore. He’s not even mad. He’s just quiet. And… tired.

“But, seeing it…” he goes on, barely above a murmur. “Hearing the way he talks about you. About Haru. Like none of it mattered. Like you don’t matter.” He shakes his head once, sharply. “I knew he was garbage. But now… I get it.”

Looking down, his jaw flexes.

“And… I hate that you had to live with that. Every day.”

You don’t speak right away—just slide your hand under the blanket and find his, fingers curling through his gently. You squeeze. He squeezes back.

“I… hated it too,” you whisper.

A silence settles between you—not heavy. Just full. Full of everything that doesn’t need to be said right now.

Then, after a beat, Satoru mutters:

“…next time I’m aiming lower.”

You snort. “Satoru…”

“What?” he says, mouth twitching into a grin. “I’ll break his fucking dick. Piece of shit.”

A surprised, soft laugh slips through your lips—but it tapers off too quickly. Because the weight of what’s happened—what he’s done—lands a little heavier now. The joke fades, and the silence that follows feels different.

Shifting, you adjust the blanket a little higher around your shoulder, voice dipping quieter.

“I… hate that you had to do this for me.”

Satoru’s brows lift slightly, turning to face you more fully.

“What? What are you talking about?” he says gently. “Sweetheart… I didn’t have to. I wanted to.”

“Yeah…” you murmur. “I know.”

But your tone doesn’t lift. His smile slips, frowning.

“Alright… what’s going on in that pretty head of yours this time?” Nudging your leg with his knee, his brow furrows in concern. “Hey… look at me.”

You do, hesitantly, meeting his gaze.

“Well… it’s just…” you breathe out slowly. “You shouldn’t have to clean up my mess. He’s my past. My mistakes. And now you’re the one taking the hits for it. I guess I’m just feeling…. useless.”

Satoru’s expression softens.

“Hey now…” he says, voice dipping. “You’re not a mess, and you’re not useless. You didn’t cause any of this—he did. All you did was survive it.”

Blinking, your throat aches with a tightness that you try to swallow down.

“But… now he’s your problem too…”

He snorts, not unkindly, leaning in just a bit.

“Sweetheart…” he says, quiet but firm, “the second he said your name like it was something to spit out? He became my problem.”

Holding your gaze, his blue eyes shimmer, steady and certain.

“Because… you’re mine now. And no one talks about you like that. No one—you hear me?”

Your chest aches in that breathless, blooming kind of way—so full it almost hurts. And before you can stop yourself, before you can think, you’re leaning forward and kissing him.

The moment your lips meet, the tension bleeds from his body like steam. He sighs, inhaling as you’re tugging him closer, his hands finding your waist under the blanket. As your lips move, he begins to shift, groaning from the taste of you.

Your stomach flips as you chase that sound, and suddenly you can’t stop touching him. His breath hitches as your hands explore down his chest, across his stomach, the smooth ridges of his muscle beneath your fingers.

The moment you dip lower, cupping his dick through the fabric of his pants, he whines in your mouth.

“Fuck…” he mutters, hoarse and frayed. “Baby…”

He’s panting against your lips, twitching in your hand as you rub him gently, ocean blue eyes half lidded, framed through snowy lashes.

His hips are shifting underneath your touch, and you surge forward, kissing him harder, working him gently through his pants. It’s electric. Consuming. But then—

Just be good for me.

Freezing, your hand stills, and you break the kiss with a soft gasp—forehead leaning gently against his, breath trembling.

Immediately, he stills too.

“What is it…” he pants quietly, blue eyes searching your face, “…you okay?”

You nod. But it’s not convincing.

“I’m okay… I just…”

Trailing off, there’s a shake in your voice, and you hate it. Hate the way it trembles, hate that he can hear it. But he doesn’t press. He waits.

You’re not even sure how to describe it. The knot in your chest. The way your skin feels too tight for your body. The way the air still tastes like a memory you never asked to keep.

So you settle for, “Sorry… it’s stupid.”

His brows furrow.

“Nothing you feel is ever stupid.”

You glance down, fingers tracing the thick outline of his cock beneath the fabric of his pants. There’s heat there—real, tangible heat—but it’s not just lust. It’s this aching, burning need to give him something. To take care of him. Because he’s done everything for you. He’s seen every version of you—messy, scared, shut down—and never once flinched.

“I just…” you breathe, fingertips ghosting down his length, “…want to make you feel good.”

Satoru groans like you’ve just unraveled him. “Uh… you are?” he pants, eyes fluttering shut. A breathless laugh slips out. “Do you not feel how fucking hard I am right now just from kissing you?!”

Eyes flicking up, you still—holding onto the restraint burning through his gaze. Something wobbles inside you. Not from him, but from the voice that still whispers at the back of your mind.

Just be good for me.

You hate it. Hate how much power those words hold over you. Hate how they’ve sent you spiraling back into an old story you thought you had finally closed the book on. One panic attack, one flashback, and it was like you’d been dropped back into the hollowed-out shell he left you in. And yet—Satoru never looked at you like you were broken. He didn’t need you to shrink yourself to be lovable. He didn’t demand, didn’t take. He waited. He held you through it.

But what do you give the man who’s given you everything?

“What if… I disappoint you?” you whisper. “What if… I’m not good enough?”

Satoru’s expression softens in an instant. His hand lifts gently, brushing a knuckle along your cheek before cradling it in his palm.

“This again? Baby…” he murmurs, low and steady. “You don’t have to prove anything to me. I’m not him.” His thumb sweeps across your jaw. “…you’re already everything I want. Whatever the fuck he expected of you, whatever he made you believe you were supposed to be… fuck that. I don’t want perfect. I want you—as you are. Smart, stubborn, brave as hell. You hear me?”

Your chest aches—so full it almost cracks. Because for the first time in so long, you feel seen. Fully. Not just the parts of you that shine under pressure. But the ones that tremble. That doubt. And this man—this beautiful, loving man—is yours.

Nodding, his hand falls away as you shift, and suddenly you’re easing yourself off the couch, sliding onto your knees in front of him.

“Oh, fuck.” Satoru stills, pupils darkening instantly.

“I just…” your fingers work the button of his slacks with a quiet click, “…wanna take care of you, Satoru.”

“Shit…” Satoru is so wrecked he’s trying not to combust. “Fucking hell… you on your knees for me? Fuck. I could die happy.”

You giggle, tugging his pants and briefs down just enough to free him—and when his cock springs out, thick and flushed, your breath catches.

“…God. You’re big.”

The moment the words slip out, you realize what you’ve said, face heating as your eyes flick up to meet his. And of fucking course—he’s smirking. White hair falling into his gaze as he tilts his head, looking down at you affectionately.

“Mmm… ‘course I am,” he hums, smug and glowing with amusement. “But please… keep the compliments coming.”

“Cocky shit…” you mumble, but your hand wraps around the base of him, your thumb brushing over the glistening tip—and Satoru hisses through his teeth.

“Oh, s-shit… fuck,” he groans, shifting his hips up into your touch. “Is this really happening right now?”

“You tell me?” you breathe, and then your tongue is dragging a slow stripe up the underside of his cock—from base to tip—collecting the pre that’s already dripping for you.

Satoru’s breath shudders. “Fucking hell…” he pants, head tipping back, fist curling into the cushion behind him like he’s hanging on for dear life.

And truthfully? He is.

Because as he’s looking down at you, legs spread on the couch, you on your knees for him, lips closing around his cock—fuck. It’s too much. You’re too much. Too good. Too goddamn much.

Your long lashes flutter as you look up at him, humming against him, dick jerking in your mouth while that skilled tongue laps and sucks him eagerly. He’s panting, mouth agape as he watches your head bob. You look so beautiful and filthy as the TV casts a blue muted glow behind you, and your hand strokes in tandem what you can’t fit in that pretty little mouth.

God, the warmth, the pressure, the sweet little hums and slurps dripping from your lips as you devour his dick—he can’t help it. He’s unravelling, needy, desperate moans spilling out of him as his breath shudders.

And the thing is, he’s biting his tongue so fucking hard right now he can taste blood. Because it would be so easy to say it right now.

 I love you.

But how the fuck could he say that right now? While his cock is in your mouth? What kind of dumbass confesses mid-blowjob!? And yet—how could he not feel it?

Satoru is cursing himself, because fuck… when the fuck is he supposed to tell you?! His mind is running a marathon, and his cock is throbbing in your mouth with the need to feed you every drop of his cum. The need to shove you down on his dick and paint that pretty tongue white. The need to bend you over, filling up your cunt with every inch of him, pounding that tight little pussy until it’s gushing and milking his cock, wringing out every sticky spurt of jizz until you’re filled to the brim. The lust, the passion, the love, he wants to give you everything,

You release him with a loud, wet pop, your hand stroking the mess he’s made of himself, each fap echoing in the quiet living room as your eyes flick up, searching his expression.

“You’re surprisingly quiet…” you murmur, rolling your thumb along his head. “Usually, getting you to shut up is the challenge.”

Now you’re looking at him all shyly again, and Satoru groans—deep and guttural, his hand scrubbing over his face like it’s the only way he’ll survive this.

“F-Fuck… y-yeah…” his breath hitches.

Tilting your head, your brow furrows sightly, but your hand keeps moving, massaging the weeping head of his cock with a slow, wet roll of your wrist.

“Is it… okay? Are you liking it?”

“W-What?! Of course I am. Are you kidding?” He blurts. “Shit—s-sorry, baby—I just… fuuuck—” another moan tears from his throat, because shit, forming words feels impossible. What the fuck is wrong with him? Bucking into your touch, his dick drools all over your hand. “Haaa…. ‘m just… t-trying not to embarrass myself…”

“…oh?” your lips curl with curiosity, your voice dipping into a smile as you press gentle kisses up the base of his shaft. “And… embarrass yourself how?” you murmur.

Satoru is whining, high and helpless as you find his head again, that cute pink tongue flicking out to tease the slit.

“B-Because I’m…” he grits out, voice cracking, “F-Fuck… s-shit… I’m just…” trying not to say something I’ll regret. “Nnnngh… trying not to cum in thirty fucking seconds. Fuck, you’re perfect—”

You pull off again, lips slick with spit, smiling all sweet and teasing as his cock twitches in your hand.

“Hmm…” you hum, pressing his dick against your cheek as you look up at him affectionately. “Thought you said you didn’t need perfect?”

God, but how are you so perfect? So his.

Inhaling sharply, he looks down, and he knows it. He’s so fucking gone for you. Loves you so much it’s stupid.

“I… don’t…” he breathes, fingers trembling as they brush back the messy strands of hair that have begun to cover your face, threading through your locks reverently. “But… somehow… I still got you.”

Nuzzling into the side of his cock, you’re grinning at him now, all smug and sweet. Fucking hell you’re going to ruin him.

“Then show me, ‘toru…” your lips brush his tip as you speak, “…how good I make you feel.”

And suddenly you’re hollowing your cheeks down on him, humming as he groans, instinctively gripping your hair as his head falls back.

“F-Fuuuck… oh shit…” he pants, voice thick and broken, cradling your head as you work his dick. “J-Just like that, baby… yeah, fuck… you look so fuckin’ pretty with your mouth full…”

His breath stutters, gaze dropping again to take you in—blue eyes glowing, watching you like he’s in a trance. He’s biting his lip so hard, trying to hold back all the pathetic moans threatening to rip from his throat.

Spit glistens on your chin, your lips stretch around him, gliding deeper—and fuck, it’s all he can do not to fall apart, watching every fucking inch of his cock disappear further and further.

It’s too good. He wants more. Needs more.

Groaning, his hips are twitching forward, shallowly thrusting, begging for you to take him deeper. He’s barely aware he’s doing it until you shift, adjust—and don’t stop him.

“S-Shit… can I—?” he rasps, gently tugging your hair. “Can I move? Fuck your throat a little?”

You nod without hesitation, eyes fluttering shut, humming as you reposition again in silent invitation. And that’s it. That’s all he fucking needs.

“Oh, fuck… fuck—okay,” he groans, cock throbbing, shifting his hips as he grips your head tighter. “Just… tell me if it’s too much, angel.”

He begins moving, rolling into your hot, wet mouth, and though his thrusts start slow, there’s nothing soft about the way he’s looking at you—jaw clenched, head tilted, snowy white hair falling into those pretty blue eyes. He’s whimpering, watching your lips stretch around his cock, spit stringing from your chin to his base as he feeds you more, more, more.

“Fuuuck—fuck, sweetheart—” Satoru’s losing his fucking mind, moaning whorishly, “That’s it… haaa… just like that,” his hips roll deeper, pace picking up. “Fucking hell… y-yes…your throat’s so fucking tight, baby—shit—”

Blinking, your hands brace tightly on his thighs, watching the way his abs begin to flex as he rocks into you. His dick is jerking, leaking sweet pre all over your tongue, holding your head as he thrusts deeper into that hot willing mouth.

“S-Shit…” he pulls you off, blue eyes blazed with pleasure, giving you a moment to breathe. “’m not gonna last much longer…” he murmurs, cock twitching up, soaked in front of your face. “Where you want my cum baby?”

Shifting, you pant, eyes flicking up at him. “My mouth…” you breathe, opening wide for him again, and Satoru’s cock jerks up immediately.

“Ohmygod…” he groans, shoving you back down on him, taking on a pace that’s anything but sane. “Yesss… haaa… good girl… hungry fucking girl…” he’s babbling now, thrusting faster, spit dripping outside the corner of your lips as you let him chase his pleasure. “T-Take it… nngh… fuck. I love…”

You.

Satoru growls, internally kicking himself, taking that frustration out on your pretty mouth.

“I… fuck… love your mouth so fuckin’ much…” he grits.

His cock is slamming into you again and again, and the sounds are obscene—wet, messy, lewd. His hips are unrelenting, but you brace yourself, taking him, eyes fluttering, tears building as you look up at him through wet lashes.

God, he’s panting, whining, whimpering, completely lost in you, looking down at you like you fucking hung the stars.

But the moment you gag, he immediately stills, stuttering. “S-Shit—sorry—fuck—you okay?” he pants, brows furrowing, looking at you like he’s afraid he broke you.

You pull back, nodding, giving yourself a moment, and then, just as eagerly, you’re pushing yourself back down on him, down to the hilt—and he swears you just ripped the air out of his fucking lungs.

“F-Fucking… god,” he chokes, watching with wild eyes as you take it again. “You’re… unreal. What the fuck…”

Whimpering, he’s desperate now, gripping you tightly as he thrusts vigorously. “That’s it… yes, baby… yes…” your throat is clicking, spit dripping from your lips, “Sucha good girl… take my cock… fuuuck…” he’s unraveling, cock so hard it hurts. “You’re too fucking good—‘m close—’m… fuckfuckfuck—gonna cum—"

And suddenly he’s burying himself deep, gasping and whining as hot spurts of creamy cum spill down your throat, fingers tightening as he keeps you there, hips stuttering with every pulse as the sticky thick mess floods your mouth.

And you takeit. All of him. Blinking back tears, moaning as you swallow every fucking drop. It’s only when he finally stills, that you pull back—his cock slipping from your lips with a lewd, wet pop.

He’s staring down at you, completely wrecked in the best way—chest rising and falling, mouth parted, eyes wide and glassy with awe.

“Wow, Satoru…” you hum, smiling all coy, licking your lips slowly as you breathe through your nose. “That was… a lot of cum.”

“Oh my fucking god…”

His voice comes out like a whisper and a whimper all at once. His brain is still buffering—trying to reboot after the holy experience you just put him through. Dragging a shaky hand down his face, he blows out a disbelieving laugh.

“You… wow. You actually swallowed… all of it.”

Giggling, you drag your hand up his thigh, fingers brushing, watching the way he twitches under your touch.

“I told you…” you smile softly, nuzzling against his thigh, eyes gleaming affectionately. “I… wanted to take care of you.”

And god—Satoru swears he might ascend. If only you knew how you make him feel. Huffing, he shakes his head in awe.

“C’mere you…” he’s tugging you up gently, urging you into his lag, and you go easily, straddling his thighs as his arms wrap around you, holding you flush to his chest.

You can feel his heart thudding heavy as you settle against him, and you shift, burying yourself against his neck.

“Feel better…?” you murmur softly, fingers combing through the soft mess of his white hair.

“Better?” a breathless laugh slips out, catching in his throat as he tries to collect himself. “Yeah… that’s the understatement of the century,” he exhales hard, then adds, “I think I might’ve just seen the face of God… with your lips.”

You snort into his shoulder, giggling, and he chuckles too—low and husky, the sound vibrating through your body. But even as he smiles, his grip on you stays tight. Steady. Anchored.

Because you don’t realize it—but this? This is everything. His expression softens, his heart aches so much as the thought replays over, and over in his head.

I’m so in love with you.

It hits him like a train—again, fresh and full and terrifying. Like it’s the first time he’s realizing it all over again. You’ve stripped him bare, pulled every shield from his body with a touch, a look, a laugh. He cherishes you so damn much.

And that’s the scariest, most beautiful thing of all.

“I’m so fucked…” he whispers, more to himself than to you.

“Hm?” pulling back slightly, you’re blinking up at him. “…fucked how?”

He meets your eyes—and for a second, everything softens. The whole world slows. He could say it. Right now. Just open his mouth and say it. But…

“Oh… y’know, just…” he exhales shakily, pressing a kiss to your forehead. “Really, really fucking into you…” he says instead.

And god, he means it.

“…yeah?” you whisper.

“Yeah…” he nods, sighing. “Like… no-coming-back, kind of into you.”

Your smile spreads, soft and full of warmth. And as you curl into him, your head rests against his shoulder.

“Me too…”

The moment quiets, settling between you in a hush of breathless heartbeats. And as he holds you close, arms protective and sure, pressing his cheek to the crown of your head, his mind begins to turn.

He’s going to do everything—everything—in his power to keep you safe. To keep you happy. To ensure, you are always here, in his arms. Because if he ever lost you…

No.

Shaking his head, he shoos that thought away, out of existence. He’s not even going to entertain it.

And then, after a minute, he begins to shift, murmuring low against your hair.

“C’mon…” he’s rising from the couch, lifting you up bridal style as he stands. “Let’s clean up… and head to bed.”

Nodding, you wrap your arms around his neck as he carries you away—your body melting against his. Neither of you say the words sitting unsaid in your chest. But that doesn’t make it any less true.

I love you.

a/n. hello my lovelies!! it's been foreverrrrr... i know. thanks for your patience with this chapter. i unforch had to go back to work full time, whilst still being in school 🤪 so it feels like i've had NO time. but, once this semester is over my writing should pick back up. this chapter definitely challenged me. i was worried how you guys would feel about the violence, but alas... that's what the yakuza do. all i can say is if you don't like it, you can chose not to read it! 🤷‍♀️ but as ya'll can probably see, this story is definitely taking a turn... the plot is heating up. nanami has joined the battle! he's so sweet with little haru. i'm gonna have so much fun with the plans i have for his character, hehe 🥰 satoru in the car with suguru... *sigh* 😌 this man is literally so smitten for reader it's too damn cute. my heart can't take it. i've decided to reopen this taglist! if you want to be tagged and you're not on it, lmk. i would love to hear all your thoughts and theories with this chapter, and as always, tysm for reading guys. i love you all sm 🫶🏻 → you are currently all caught upꨄ

taglist:

@geniejunn @fortunatelyfurrygiver @rosso-seta @acowboykisser @mikyapixie

@shokosbunny @fire-child-kira @aluvrina @laviefantasie @kurookinnie

@poopypipi @painted-hills @stillserene @mira-lol @k-kkiana

@sebastianlover @blueberrysungie @kalulakunundrum @doireallyhavetonamthis @lingophilospher

@ichikanu @artist1936 @christianacj27 @watermelon-online @jkbangtan7

@angelina7890 @aruraa @han11dh @jonesmelodys @k1ttybean

@a-trashbag @jotarohat @khaleesihavilliard @tsukistopglazer @elliesndg

@maskedpacific @that-redheadd @lovelyartemisa @eolivy

@valleydoli @voids-universe @sukunadckrider @aishies-stuff

@saccharine-nectarine @ilianasau @pinksaiyans @gojoslefttoenail

[fluffypotatey]

If wukong told (lied) to macaque that he never cared about him, do you think that would make macaque even more aggresive or like shut down/be the final straw that finally makes macaque let go of wukong

so, just like my answer for whether macky would willingly erase swk from his life, I think this answer also depends on when in the show swk told macky this, and what better way to explain this than by going through each outcome per season :)

UNO

looking at s1, we meet a Macaroni who is very hellbent on killing (or at the very least, heavily damaging) SWK because he feels like the guy never truly gave a shit about him (<- my interpretation). thus, it is safe to assume that if Wukong were to laugh off Marnolo's hurt and anger and tell the guy that he never cared, Mac&cheese will only feel that his current assumptions of SWK are correct and that the guy only cares about himself and his image.

would he feel hurt about it? oh absolutely. maybe punch a wall, destroy the "dojo" he allegedly lives in in an outburst of power and anger. maybe scream and cry but be mad at his own tears (begin to wipe them away but is too hash so he scars himself and then can't stop bc he's very self-destructive)

DOS

technically, Wukong is MIA so this would never happen. BUT! have you considered!!! Wukong telling MK that Macdonalds was just some guy from his past, nobody super important, basically a nobody he wronged in his long list of enemies. which MK might possibly parrot back to Macadoo in 2x07

heavens above Marconi would be pissed.

forget trying to be a dick to MK and "teaching" him that his path of emulating Wukong has already made him forget his friends (untrue, but this is what i assume was Macky's interpretation of MK's actions since the guy didn't actively search for his missing friends, who MK thought left him on purpose).

nah, Macky is hunting SWK down. he is out for blood because "did i serious mean so little to you? were our nights under that tree sharing secrets, dreams, peaches fucking nothing to you?" (and idk....maybe after the air clears out, possibly, macky would realize SWK's true reason for being MIA and....help out???? mayhaps???....yeah, yeah, i know only in my dreams T^T)

TRES

ok, so we could technically say this sort of happened in ep1 when Sun Wukong said, "i thought it was someone important," and, "so what, you're her puppet now? i mean, makes sense. you always did have a sidekick kind of vibe."

and that is basically Wukong implying that he viewed his relationship with Macaque as one where he didn't consider Macky to be important to him, or someone he saw as a close friend. however, this is also a tactic Wukong uses against nearly every villain he interacts with, simply to get a rise out of them. so, pin that down as Wukong being observant enough to know which words to use to hurt.

AND Macky's reaction to it is him jumping out of his cool-ass looking jet and body-slamming the monkey king to the floor. so, uh, it is safe to assume that Macky was pissed off at Wukong's comment.

THUS! with that in mind, we can say that in this context, Macackle will be upset enough to fight him; however, if we were to consider the end of s3 (like Samadhi Fire ritual to the end) i would go with the option of Mackarell shutting down and feeling like that comment is the nail in the coffin for their relationship.

CUATRO

in s4? absolutely not. he would be dragging Wukong by the ear, demanding that he repeat what he said, ordering Wukong to try and convince himself that their past meant nothing while Macky still lives and breathes. and especially after the s4 special.

you could argue that Macky could shut down in the beginning of s4, but i think he'd probably laugh it off because he knows now that Wukong is lying. he's being his old deflective self and probably doesn't know where to place Macanoli in his head now that they're technically on better terms with LBD done with.

but after all the drama of going through SWK's memories? nuh uh, Wukong can't get out of this, nope. you handed iMac a chocolate peach popsicle. it is too late for you turn back and lie about your feelings. you can dig your grave and lie about it, but he's just gonna hit you right back with your own medicine and make you understand that if y'all truly want to reconcile, you cannot continue lying to yourself that you don't care.

not anymore.

so, anyway, i hope this answers your question, anon! i had a lot of fun running this question around in me braincage :3

[scarlettmurphy]

STARCROSSED PT2 +ੈ✩‧₊˚ LOGAN HOWLETT.

logan and y/n — where you are completely in love with a man older then you’re father by a good century or so.. whose completely in love with another.

- content warning age gap (is legal) drinking. explicit. swearing. dirty humour. comfort (an ounce). drugs. nsfw. sick. body issues. sh. angst.. maybe happy endings?! pairings: older!logan howlett x xaiver!reader. logan howlett x jean grey.

spoiler: insane yearning and angst i’m sorry im too far gone ☹️ happy ? where.

note this is part two to starcrossed, prepare for even heavier angst!🫶🏻 i didn’t realise how sad this was until i finished the chapter and realised holy shit this is long. part three is already in the works. i hope u enjoy it! make sure to read pt1. it’s a bit diff from the first one but i hope u like it still. also if you’ve seen the movie ten things i hate about u the mid bit of this might remind u of that one scene if u get me :) song: need you now by lady a cos i was listening to it and jeff buckley whilst reading this? also on the timeline im going for like xmen 2 time i think?

tags — @faceache111 @malfoys-demigod @navs-bhat @dilfismz @thisbipuff-isaswiftie @twinky-wink @thewiselionessss @thecraziestcrayon @awhoreforalotofshows @emily-b @jae48 @cxptainbuck @444st4rg1rl 🫶🏻

[i hope you like it!!]

you’d absolutely love to believe that what you heard last night wasn’t what happened but as your mind goes over the previous night as you fought yourself to stay awake during your fathers little class your brain couldn’t forget the continuous moans and little yells that you heard from a few rooms across from your own at the mansion for a good hour or two last night. you can’t help but figure out that logan most certainly found jean and just thinking about it made you feel sick. scott being the main thing on your brain after you got over the fact logan most definitely fucked jean last night.

she was a cheater. what else could you expect? your thoughts swirling in your brain causing an indescribable amount of heart ache as you kept yourself completely quiet and withdrawn from whatever was going on in this lesson, rogue clearly being able to tell you were off as she glanced at bobby giving him a look you picked up on — him shrugging his shoulders in return as you cursed your sadness for being so obvious.

just the thought of jean and logan staring at eachother hurt you but her touching him, his hands over her skin, her lips on his, his mind only on her in that moment and his gaze locked into hers as she let him take her yet again enraged you to another level it was a struggle not to jump into his mind and find out exactly what happened but you couldn’t, you wouldn’t. your brain fighting with your heart in every way as you felt sick with all those pictures of the scenario you were forming for yourself.

so from that knowledge as you sat in class you knew you needed to stop liking him for good. he didn’t like you, he was throwing it in your face. you heard it all and it hurt you too much to bare. you didn’t even wanna look at him — that single thought of contact sending you crazy. you couldn’t even bring yourself to see him today. you didn’t want too, you couldn’t. seeing jean as you passed through the kitchen earlier was enough to make you nearly cry and immediately stop that tiny breakfast you had made.

you really couldn’t deal with this. one bit. you never did well with emotional pain — physical was something you could endure, yet emotional was always something you couldn’t stomach ever since you were a little girl.

+ੈ✩‧₊˚

you'd been avoiding him like the plague. literally. whenever you saw him at the end of the halls you'd turn the other away, force a little smile and act like you had somewhere to go if you were in conversation and it had been like that for two weeks. two weeks had passed since one of your normal conversations, the friendly chats you admired in your brain and made out to be more, the little touches he'd give you that you couldn't comprehend was only a friend thing to do, the way he'd hug you.. the deep conversations, the way he'd sometimes kiss your forehead before you left for bed, watching the rain together and just joking together all something you had put in the past. that had been gone for two weeks and to say it was breaking you would be an understatement.

you could tell others has noticed the practical borderline dissociation within you since you had been a little mute recently not that it was specially due to logan (it completely all was) but you didn't want it to be obvious, you hated that it could be perceived that way so you knew you had to do something about it. who knew heartache for one that didn't love you back could destroy you this badly from the inside out?

.. and today was no different on the logan front. you saw him once today in the halls ushering something to hank — the two in bustling conversation and you made sure not to risk it by going to class, to upset over it all to deal with another short horrible conversation where you were nothing but cold to him as you tried to cut down any romantic feelings you had for him. every time you spoke now you could see the confusion and frustration in his eyes, the mental image to much to bare as you went on hiding in your room and pondering and that’s where you had been since — buried in clothing choices as you tried to stomach down the anxiety that had been growing in you over the fact it was jeans birthday party today and you would have to make an appearance after you had been a hermit since you’d got your heart broken by a guy that didn’t even know. rogue and bobby being the only two people you had really spoke too since the shut down yet their concern had been growing annoying as rogue clearly told bobby about the little crush she could’ve guessed, and got out of you when the two of you were high together a few months ago, you had on logan. bobby actually giving you little options of guys you could date to get over someone which was all you needed to hear when you realised rogue had told him as he literally mentioned hank who they knew you recently hiked with since he had been bothering you over your melancholy, yet you had left before it was a full fledge little argument.

just the thought of having to socialise with him and the others and step out of the hole you’d built for yourself to hide in irritated you especially for jean of all people’s party, your ‘smidge’ of hatred for the woman who had really been rude to you since she’d known you not because of logan, because god on that front she wins and it feels like she’s married to him despite her ties to scott, but on the power front. she knew you had powers incomparable to hers that you hardly even showcased magneto being someone who taught you many things when you were younger, your own parents being raven and charles. of course you had powers which were indescribable.

and most of the time you wanted to use it on that bitch. you were lucky she couldn’t get into your twisted mind to find that fact out.

you let out a little sigh as you decided on the black mini skirt and sweater — you finally having an excuse for the fall outfit and lack of dress because it was october which has always been your favourite season and best time of year yet this year that didn’t apply because you haven’t been hardly able to enjoy it because of isolation you’d forced yourself into.

y/n had to swallow her own self pity down as she leaned over to her perfume bottle on the drawer next to her mirror as she took in the image of her body in the skirt. her shrinking body, a scoff leaving her lips as she wasn’t happy with what she saw in the reflection. she never could be. the aroma of the perfume not masking her feelings at all as she put on some dc martens paired with black tights. the perfect little outfit yet she was sure jean would be outshining her on that front. god she didn’t even wanna imagine logan’s eyes being locked onto jean tonight, the heart ache already unbearable to comprehend as she swallowed a lump that formed in her throat. that aching feeling hadn’t gone away since the start of knowing logan the way she did, maybe that was a sign from the people above about how destined it was.. or how not it was.

these muddled thoughts led her too some early drinking as if she wouldn’t be getting shitfaced later. pregaming alone which is a bit self pity full as she swallowed the burning liquor down her throat, the whiskey hitting her softly and slowly enough to give her the confidence to leave her room twenty minutes later for this party.

+ੈ✩‧₊˚

the decorations were perfect, the present corner was overflowing and the students and people were everywhere. jean being clearly the popular girl from the looks of this party, as if y/n already didn’t know that, as the blasting music just made her more aware of the scenario she was in as she fought the urge to look around the room for logan as she went straight over to the bar that had been made. the party was the perfect one a girl, woman, could ask for and y/n could feel the jealously bubbling already that she bit down as she forced a friendly smile to join her lips.

walking through the dancing groups of people, there hardly even being any spaces to walk unless you wanted to bump into a coked up or insanely drunk teenager or wade. who she was lucky to get past without having to talk to yet, no matter how much she did like and enjoy his company she couldn’t deal with his jokes right now which she could guess who’d they’d be centered around, she knew he knew to some extent she was just lucky he hadn’t out rightly said it. that would be too much pity for her to deal with, that coming from wade being another level of pathetic.

the second she leant against the bar she managed to grab the busy barmaids attention giving her a soft nod and polite smile as she didn’t notice the figure beside her as she asked for a coke and vodka.

“thank god you’re showing your face — i thought i was going to have to clone you to get a good conversation.” hank rolled out his tipsiness showing as he pulled y/n into a tight hug when he was sat down on the stool. y/n letting out a low chuckle as she hugged him back nicely, his presence being a little surprise she tried not to seem so bothered about.

“hiya hank.” y/n said softly as the barmaid came over with her drink, placing it next to her. “thanks.” y/n nodded out as hank placed his hand on the stool next to him as she immediately grabbed it and took a swig.

“come! sit.” he ushered in with a drunken smile on his face, a bright one as usual, as he patted the bar stool next to him inviting her to sit and before y/n could even speak up in reply as she slid down on the stool hank bit in.

“where the hell have you been?” he abruptly said bluntly, putting a little look on his face off one that’s pissed off as y/n felt the guilt rush through her as she wrapped her fingers around the glass drowning her truth in the drink as she took a big sip off the liquor acting as if that didn’t taste appalling as she shrugged her shoulders at hanks obvious question which has an obvious answer to that she’d play off as a stupid claim if questioned about it.

“—i’ve been busy! controlling powers— small missions, and that.” y/n lied out.

hank furrowed his eyebrows at his words, giving her a knowing look before he shook his head swiftly at what she said. seeing right through her little lie he truly knew nothing much about what the truth was or not as he took a little sip of his beer.

“i know you but i’m not pushing it— rather you bite of logan’s heads rather then mine.” hank said out lowly as y/n’s eyebrows furrowed at his comment as a look of confusion spread over her face at the mention of him but before she could question hank on it she was met with two hands around her waist, pulling her tightly back purposely.

“hello pretty little liars, you’re aria?” wade said loudly into her ear his drunkenness obvious as y/n scoffed, him clearly stating that because her outfit choice as he squeezed her even tighter y/n’s eyes rolling as she elbowed him playfully back as his hands on her faltered as he playfully shoved her back.

“—elsa! you made it snow yet?” y/n said back to him as she was met with the sound of his laughter as he pulled on the stool next to y/n, making the guy who was sat on it mutter a curse before wade sent him a glare and then went speed walking away clearly a boy as young as fourteen or thirteen who just got the shit scared out him for, wade’s harsh look as he sqt down on the stool as he met y/n’s gaze.

“you know i have honey.” he nodded out with a smirk as hank leaned into the twos space.

“shots anyone?” hank rolled out, fixing his glasses as wade enthusiastically said a quick yes, y/n adding to the fire. “—very much needed.” y/n drove out as wade sent her a little look of knowing yet he held back the urge to call her out on it. he was being a ‘good’ friend in his eyes anyway, he didn’t wanna hear her say things about logan when he knew a few things himself on how the other party felt.

hank calling the barmaid over as wade pulled y/n’s stool closer to his that knowing look still present on his face as he played with the knowledge he had a bit just in a little playful way.

“you seen the birthday girl yet?..gave her a gift?” wade said sarcastically knowing the two didn’t really see eye to eye on a LOT of things as y/n gave him a little glare, him having been present for many of their little disagreements.

“luckily i haven’t, as i’ve brung nothing.” y/n rumbled back as wade nudged her playfully with her words as hank grabbed the tray of shots from the barmaid— y/n’s eyes widening once she saw how many shots he had ordered. “fifteen?” y/n broke out with a raised eyebrow as hank chuckled as he took one, downing it straight away before grabbing another as wade spoke up cockily.

“who’s pants are you trying to get into?” wade rolled out, his voice sly as he grabbed two for himself as y/n leaned over and took one ready to get shitfaced, maybe that’d stop her mind from falling back onto logan every other second her longing heart internally hating this situation more and more as she yearned to see him but she bit back the urge to even look around for him. halting that urge by taking a shot.

“preferably anyone with a pulse and no dick between their legs.” hank said right as y/n took another shot, her nearly choking on the burning liquid which was a horrible mix of vodka and god knows what.

“i can tuck.” wade said lowly as this made it worse, y/n nudging wade, shaking her head as she held back her laugh as she swallowed the shot she just took. “disgusting!” she rolled out as she took another, downing it before placing the shot down on the table.

“ah! sweeties jealous.” wade spoke up sarcastically with that all familiar cocky smile on his face with that teasing glint in his eyes as he handed another shot y/n’s way as she took it gracefully as they all cheersed their glasses together. that being just one of the about eight times they did that within the next thirty to sixty minutes as y/n bit back her thoughts with copious amounts of shots and soon enough they had gone through a good four or so tray off shots and a few drinks each.

every passing minute y/n felt her mind get closer and closer to the edge as every time she felt that aching feeling grow she’d swallow it back with another sip of liquor or large shot — wades jokes passing the time and hanks yapping and her own occasional drunken chime in making her mind a mess as hank got another row of shots.

the songs and wade and hank’s voices becoming a blur in y/n’s mind as she swallowed nothing but the truth with those shots. every sip feeling like more heartache she couldn’t stop having.

+ੈ✩‧₊˚

y/n was practically stuck too the bar stool, her eyes scanning the crowd occasionally (by occasionally around five times if not more a minute) as she looked for him. her mind lingering on a certain someone as it always tended to do the liquor just amplifying those feelings as hank spoke up.

“you know— you look like your mum.”

his words caused y/n’s attention to snap over to hank as she raised an eyebrow, wade making a little ‘oo’ in the background even if he couldn’t help but agree with his comment as he sipped on the cocktail he had ordered a few drinks previously that had just been laying there on the side. the bartender making a fuck ton of profit from these three miserables.

“very dead?” y/n said sarcastically as hank gave her a little look — clearly a little annoyed she didn’t take the comment seriously as he leaned a little closer to her.

“beautiful you idiot.” hank added out, his words making her eyebrows furrow a bit as she took in his drunken words as she gave him a little a smile — swallowing the depreciating joke she was close to making as she took a sip of her drink.

“thank you hank.” y/n nodded out calmly as wade butted in.

“—fucking hell, incoming for angry jacob twilight wannabe.” wade cursed out as y/n’s gaze moved over wade following his eyes to where he was looking, her heart feeling as if it was flipping and twisting in her chest as she watched logan walk into the bar games room as she furrowed her eyebrows at the sight of jean following him angrily. her looking perfect as ever.

yet before y/n could think another thought she locked eyes with logan from across the room — their eyes meeting as she felt a weight lift immediately onto her as she swallowed a lump that formed in her throat at just the sight of him. it felt as if time has frozen just as they looked to each other , his eyes taking everything about her in as she did the same his way.

he practically immediately walked over, more like stomped over, as he seemed clearly agitated. more then usual as his eyes dawned onto wade and hank before resting back to y/n as he stopped in his tracks in front of the seated three.

“who thought getting a teenager shitfaced was a good idea?” logan nearly growled out, giving wade a glare as y/n’s eyes lingered back on jean who saw who he was talking to and turned away her being even more pissed then him, y/n holding the urge to go into her mind and find out why as she brung her gaze onto logan after seeing jean walk off somewhere else in the room, her patience clearly wearing thin. her wanting to make a little childish comment about how she wasn’t when wade spoke up.

“gods probably.” wade rolled out in reply as logan scoffed at what he said.

“y/n.�� logan said, her eyes meeting his own as she took in his appearance. her eyes lingering on the chain that was wrapped around his neck — one he told her was something jean gave him when he first became an xmen, something he hasn’t worn in months, this fact only making her feel a number of horrible thoughts as she grabbed her drink and took a mean swig. swallowing her own building self pity as she forced a fake smile logan immediately knew to be fake.

“hi.” she said swiftly after she put her drink back down on the table — his eyebrow raising a little at her hostility as he looked to wade, hank the back to her.

“uh—“ logan spoke up, trying to find the words to say as he looked at her a bit lost for words at how she was acting as he swallowed a lump that had formed in his throat — feeling his frustration rise as he tried to control it, “where have you been?” he said lowly, hank raising his eyebrow at how this little conversation seemed weirdly tension filled. wade knew why, he could’ve called her little feelings for him back when she first met the guy but now he couldn’t help see how serious it was because off the way she was looking at him and how it was affecting her.

he couldn’t even brung himself to but in as he buried himself in his drink. hank doing the same.

“i’ve been busy. but i’ve been around— i saw you two days ago.” she said quickly, shifting in her seat a little as his eyes almost felt as if they burnt through her.

“you didn’t stay,” he said taking a pause as he looked at her, taking in just how intoxicated she seemed as he tried to analyse it, “like you uh- normally, do.”

his words touched a nerve on y/n as she felt that all familiar heart ache grow y/n trying to act as if the feeling inside her wasn’t killing her right now and ripping her to shreds as she kept her gaze on him, his eyes on her making her think and feel a number of things she hated.

“—had somewhere to be.” she replied quickly, his eyebrows raising at her bluntness to her reply as he knew something was off. he sensed it, the drunkness only adding to his worry as he went to step closer when he was cut off by a voice behind him.

y/n eyes dawned on the sight off jean, a tight silver dress on showcasing her curves as her red hair flowed down by her side as she looked at logan who hadn’t even brung himself to met her gaze yet. y/n immediately being hit with a truck load of insecurities just with a glance to the older women who had the only guy she’d ever loved wrapped around her finger.

y/n’s heart feeling as if it was stepped on as she kept her gaze on him — time feeling a little slow motion.

“logan—now.” jean said harshly.

“lo- logan.” she said again, y/n not leaving logan’s gaze as he swallowed his own spit as he eventually brung his gaze over to jean.

“logan— he knows.” she said harshly, her words a little quiet as they were clearly just meant for logan’s ears yet y/n heard them. “now! come on?” she questioned out frustratedly, saying that to grip his attention as logan looked to jean then back to y/n, wade and hank watching like it was a drama.

the air felt thick with some sort of something as y/n swallows, her eyes on him as he bit down on the inside of his cheek.

“be careful kid, remember to slow down.” he rolled out before he turned away with jean going right to her side as y/n scoffed as he walked off turning her attention back to the barmaid — not feeling logan’s eyes burning back to her as he took a long glance her way before disappearing off with jean into the party to sort whatever was happening.

y/n rolled her eyes the second she turned her attention back over to the bar as she looked down at the bar table, swallowing her thoughts down with the rest of her vodka as she felt the others eyes on her. they sensed on the tension — it was impossible not too.

“so they’re fucking again.” hank commented lowly and cluelessly. his words being like a gut punch to y/n as she bit down on her tongue as she called back over the barmaid, leaning over and ordering a couple shots as she sat back down in her seat.

“mm, most definitely.. hell for scott.” wade ushered out lowly, feeling a sense of guilt as he saw the way y/n’s eyes fell as y/n tried to mute out their conversation in the background as she welcomed the shots with open arms as she pulled the tray closer to her as she heard wade and hank whisper behind her as they leant over to gossip about the rumours of jean and scott being over as y/n’s heart felt as if it was plummeting and beating as fast as it ever had with every shot she took. the information she was hearing just making her internal pain grow worse as she tried to drink it away every shot seemingly enhancing her hurt as the metal images she were getting hurt her brain as she felt the urge to do something about it.

her mind full of relentless unlimited thoughts that were screaming at her as she placed the last empty shot glass she had down — the shots helping limit the voices to some extent as the barmaid came over and refilled them without another word most likely sensing her anguish as y/n nodded to her with as much of a smile she could muster up as she thought back to the conversation with logan.

“we’re going to dance— you coming?” wade spoke to y/n as that brung her out her gaze with the bottom of the shot glass as she shook her head, “no—thanks,” she slurred out as hank gave her a small nod and pat on the shoulder before they disappeared of into the crowd leaving her alone after saying their be right backs— her lips immediately around another glass as she finished the rest of the drinks thay were laid out in front-of her.

y/n either needed fresh air and a sick bucket or the man she loved and craved, and she was going with the latter. her desires only heightened which was making just about everything worse due to the mess the alcohol had started to cause her brain and body.

her heart pounding as she stood up, everything going messy and spin like as she stumbled through the crowd. her mind on one thing and one thing only, one person, as she got pushed around a bit by the dancing people as she made her way out the bar room she was in. her eyes searching the place as she looked for him in every corner, in every face, every person, every laugh, every grunt and every noise. she was searching for him like she had been doing within her heart ever since she’d know the man.

yet what she didn’t expect to see when she turned the corner was him right there. logan right there in his bubble of perfection as she saw it. her eyes taking him in as she saw him in the hallway — a smile joining her lips as she started to walk over to him planning what she was going to say in her brain. how she was going to do any of this? she didn’t even know what she had planned, she just wanted to speak to him. she needed to see his smile. she missed it. she wanted to make him laugh like usual, she wanted to kiss him, feel his touch. she needed it, it was destroying her to not have him. why was she ignoring him for the past two weeks? she should just tell him. nothing bad could hap—

“mine.” she swore she could make out logan saying, her eyebrows furrowing in pure confusion as she took one little step closer to where he was as her eyes dawned on a certain red head with a killer smirk on her lips as she had a tight grip on his chain.

and with that every thought she just had was crushed within the space of five or so seconds as she heard jean’s light hearted chuckle next, her voice grating against y/n’s mind as she swallowed her own spit back down as she made sure she couldn’t be seen by them. feeling the sick feeling rising in her as she watched logan’s hands wrap around jean’s waist as she pulled him closer to her in a teasing action that broke y/n’s heart in two.

she was frozen in her tracks, watching as the one she loved was with the one he loved.

“you’re mine.” ringing in her ears as she just made out what he had said to jean as his words sent a chill through y/n’s body as she felt the tears start to boil in her eyes as she couldn’t tear her eyes away from the scene. her mouth fallen gap as she watched as he roughly had her against the door jean’s hand going down to the handle of said door as y/n watched as jean pulled him in the room with her roughly.

the door slamming behind them as she felt her beating out her chest, her breath shaky and hitched as she swallowed.

and when she heard a little squeal come from the room over the music a few seconds or minutes later, she couldn’t tell how long had passed, that’s when she knew she needed to go before she turned into a public laughing stock as she turned on her heel — shakily making her way through the crowd again, unbeknownst to the tears dropping down her cheeks as she fought her way through the dancing crowd as she tried to get the hell out of here as she thought she was fighting back her emotions, yet she really wasn’t doing too good of a job with it.

“watch it!” someone yelled out over the music to y/n as she shuffled past them quickly, stumbling out and disappearing through the back door as she made her break for it. her heart feeling broken to an extreme it hadn’t felt before which was only amplified by the alcohol as she felt her brain chemistry formed for logan be destroyed within a matter of moments. seeing it in front of her own eyes being completely different from assuming it had happened.

the fact they were doing that right now she just couldn’t and didn’t want too comprehend it. it hurting her so much she felt as if she was going to be sick, she could feel it to the extremist point that when she managed her way to the end of the courtyard where her little spot was with her childhood swing set, where she’s surprised she even remembered the whereabouts off in this state, she couldn’t stop herself from leaning down into a bush shakily.

her mouth watering, her throat burning with liquid as y/n threw up into the bush her heart pounding ridiculously as she felt the tears burning against her cheek as she didn’t even notice the feeling off two strong hands holding her hair back. her body shaking as she kept being sick, feeling the acid burn her throat as she felt a strong hand round her hair pulling it into a ponytail and another hand around her fragile body to keep her up.

her body flinching a little at the touch as the person leaned a little closer as y/n was sick some more, “it’s okay—“ a low voice ushered out as y/n couldn’t help be sick again, leaning down closer into the bush nearly tripping into it as the person held her upright. their hand snacking onto her waist as y/n leaned back into their touch. basically tripping into it as she let out a shaky breath as she wiped her mouth with the sleeve of her top.

her eyes moving up onto an all familiar face and she instantly cursed in her brain as he managed to move her over to the swings, sitting her down in one of two seats as she clung to the chain of it leaning her body against it freely as she let out a little cry.

“you’re good.” scott said softly his voice low as he spoke into a comforting tone that didn’t completely soothe her as she felt the tears trail down her cheek as he kneeled down — his hands stabilising the swing that was rocking a little as he looked up at her making sure she was okay on the swing. the cold air hitting the twos faces as the moon shone down on the courtyard, the faint sound of pop music from the mansion being completely distant to both of them.

“scott.” she managed to say, him being able to tell how far gone she was by the way she slurred her words as if her crying and throwing up didn’t prove that enough. his eyes on her as he moved her hair out the way for her, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear as she held back a little sob which wasn’t held back that well as she let out a shaky whimper.

“w-why— doesn-t he love me?” she spoke out quickly, her breath shaky and her voice high pitched as she let out little sniffles in between words, the weight of those making a sad smile tug on scott’s lips as he kept his hand on her face trying to keep her upright which was sort of impossible as he kept his comforting warm hand against her face. just trying to make her feel okay.

“—he—“ scott cut himself off before he moved closer to her, trying to keep her calm, “he does love you okay?”

y/n shook her head at scott’s words as she let out a muffled sob against her wrist, shaking her head as scott wiped the tears from her cheeks. “not like i want him to.” she rolled out in a slur, scott feeling his heart beat quicken at her little admission as if he didn’t know how she felt over him before as he moved his finger across her cheek in a soft circular motion, his hand cupping her jaw.

“hey- he does okay?” scott said quickly as he moved her jaw down so she met his eyes again, his tone soft as he moved himself to the other swing next to her — the second he was sat him moving his swing closer to her own. tangling the chains of his swing up a little in doing so.

“he does.” scott added out again, y/n not believing him at all as she swallowed a lump that had formed in her throat as she leaned herself again the hand that was cupping her face as she nearly tumbled off the swing.

her biting down on her tongue as she let out a little squeal as scott placed his hand on her back supporting and holding her up as a little chuckle left her lips as she leaned forward a little. scott not letting his hand move as worry was evident on his face as y/n turned to him a sad smile on her lips, tears still evident on her face.

“i wish.” he heard her whisper as he swallowed, his own voice breaking a little, “come on. okay? he doesn’t know what he’s missing right now.— he doesnt see you liking him.” scott said softly, giving her a little playful nudge as y/n started to lose the energy to even speak off it as she felt another tear slip down her cheek.

his words were taking the weight off her shoulders as she moved in the swing a little, scott’s comforting hand on her back which was now sort off around her waist making her sure she wasn’t going to fall as she moved a tiny bit closer to him on her swing. their swings touching a little.

“you deserve better then jean-y bitch.” she managed out lowly, scott not being able to help the chuckle that escaped his lips at how she put it as he looked out at the mansion in front of them. the moon present in his red tinted glasses.

“yeah— i’m starting to realise that.” he chuckled out as y/n gave him a drunken smile in return as she locked eyes with scott. someone she’d hardly noticed was this nice mostly due to the words logan remarked about him all the time as her smile couldn’t help but grow as she looked at him. the air softening between the two as y/n felt tiredness fall over her as she leant against the chains a little as she slowly moved her gaze over to the moon.

a few moments of silence passes before scott spoke up.

“y/n?” scott managed out trying to grab her attention as he saw he eyes wondering a bit. his eyebrows furrowing when he heard no answer in return, her silence scaring him as he nudged her.

“y/n?” he quickly said out once again, nudging her a little as he saw how limp her body was and noticed her closed eyes.

“fuck— y/n.” he ushered out quickly as he stood from his seat and went right to her side as he kneeled down, tapping her face to try and catch her attention. y/n stirring a little at his action as he stood up, pulling her up with him as he placed his hand around her waist as he tried to shake her a little which did the job as her eyes fluttered open to meet his own.

a drunken smile joining on her lips as a tear dropped down her cheek that she didn’t even notice as she chuckled a little, leaning close to him as she swayed a little.

“scott.” she said lowly as scott gave her a low chucke as she placed her arm around him drunk on, him wiping the tear of her cheek softly something he’d done a number of times since being in her presence tonight.

“okay it’s time to go sleep— im taking you to bed.” he explained softly as y/n looked at him with a little furrowed brow as he started to walk, helping her walk alongside him her hardly even able to realise she was walking as she leaned against his touch.

“you’re good.” he said calmly to her as they walked through the dark courtyard, the illuminated by the moon field of grass between them and the bustling school /xmansion being the only light to guide them. his grip on her tightening softly when she nearly tripped over her own feet, a low chuckle escaping his lips as he realised just how long of a walk it was to the mansion. him sighing as he held her upright. “nearly there.” he muffled out as y/n leaned to him.

“—‘m gonna be sick.” she quickly flushed out before throwing her head over in the other direction as scott patted her back and stopped in his tracks at her words as she was sick again — him holding the urge got to be sick too because the smell as he focused on helping her. his heart skipping a beat bit as he felt his anger growing over logan putting her in this situation where she was so drunk she was being sick or the fact that she was being sick just thinking about logan it made his blood boil as he felt his jaw clench — his eyebrows twitching as he helped her get it all out, whispering little comforts as he soothed her back.

“good girl. “ he said lowly as y/n brung her gaze into him once more him giving her a small sad smile as he placed his hand back around her waist to guide her, “cmon, bed.” he whispered out to her as they started walking again. having to go through the party definitely going to be a difficult task as scott tightened his grip around her waist as they walked past a couple people hanging around the outside area of the building as the music met y/n’s ears as once they got into the building scott called for people to move out the way as he made y/n stay close to him. her eyes wondering over everyone in her drunken haze as scott helped her over to the staircase which was through a couple wide, filled rooms.

her swearing she came across wade and hank in the corner with two twins and colossus’s doing a certain something to wade, her eyebrows furrowing at what she believed to have just seen as she shook it off as she met scott’s words.

“you need to be carried or are you okay?” scott asked as if he was babying her which sent a wave of comfort through her body as she let the question hang in her brain as she tried to form answer to it as she leaned herself against scott.

“‘u—‘i can—“

“scarlett?” logan roughly called out in a raised voice towards scott as he came over out of nowhere. scott rolling his eyes as he quickly picked y/n up, y/n being in scott’s arms as her eyes fluttered open to see logan to the side of them. scott’s jaw immediately clenching as he continued up the stairs without cracking a word to logan as he rushed after the pair. his own anger frustratingly high as he tried to control himself and stop himself from doing anything stupid.

“scott?” logan said harshly, his anger growing as he didn’t get an answer as he tried to get the man to look at him.

“lo-“ y/n slipped out, her voice muffled as she leaned into scott’s arms more as he carried her bridal style up the stairs. her realising his presence, logan’s eyes casting onto y/n and then back to scott. his eyes darkening.

“what have you done to her?!” logan rushed out, his voice cracking with worry as scott ignored his words as he made it to the top of the stairs and continued on down to where he’s pretty sure her room is.

“scott!” logan shouted again trying to get his attention as scott opened the door with his back, giving logan a harsh glare as he walked right over to the bed where he placed y/n down carefully on it. her drunken self pouring the cover over her figure as she rolled over in bed. letting out a little muffled whimper as her head laid on the pillow.

the second scott having let go off y/n he immediately turned to logan scott not giving logan another chance to talk before he connected his fist with his jaw, logan been taken aback a little as he raised an eyebrow, scott looking right at him as logan pushed him back harshly.

“what the fuck did you do?” logan cursed out quickly, scott scoffing as he held back taking his glasses off because of the fact it was a party, not logan’s funeral even despite how much he wanted it to be.

“you should ask yourself that, prick.” scott said harshly. logan’s eyebrows raising at his words as scott pushed himself past logan without another word.

logan immediately grabbing scott’s arm harshly, his claws aching to come out as he met his gaze.

“what do you mean by that?” logan said quickly, his eyes locked onto scott’s as so many questions flowed his brain. his thoughts enlaced with y/n and the worry he had for the girl as scott harshly brung his hand back to his side after shaking logan’s grip off — giving logan a stern look as he looked him up and down judgementally, “god, you are so stupid. you’d think being born in the 19th century would make you slightly smarter then a twenty nine year old.” scott scoffed out lowly, his words only angering logan more as he shoved scott against the wall.

his claws extending as he pressed them close to his throat — his threat there as scott swallowed.

“tell me.” he said harshly as scott couldn’t help a certain look cross his face. completely frustrated by logan, his heart aching for jean in this moment as he stared at what she had clearly picked over himself that enraging him yet also y/n and what she had just gone through herself. the heart ache something he could relate too and he wouldn’t wish that on anyone. yet right now he would logan however.

“she saw you and jean you idiot. meaning i did too. meaning— fuck you.” scott said quickly as he clicked his visor getting the right aim, logan jumping back as scott lazered his chest. his beam going right through as a loud grunt escaped his lips as logan in immediate retaliation clawed scott in the side, scott pushing back the whimper threatening to leave his lips as logan as he got ready to take another shot at the man.

logan raising his eyebrow as the two stared eachother down, “i’ll heal,” logan rolled out his words only angering scott worse as he went to raise his glasses again as logan roughly placed his hand on his chest to stop him, his claws retracted back in.

“i wish you wouldn’t.” scott bit out harshly as logan scoffed at his words, keeping his anger limited as he rolled his eyes.

“jean only needed someone to talk too—“

“you mean fuck.” scott said out harshly, jean crossing logan’s mind as his jaw clenched his gaze darkening as he couldn’t bring himself to shake his head. not that he was thinking about scott’s feelings — right now his mind pondering on another.

scott saw how logan couldn’t even fight back with words — tutting as he pushed him back. logan’s hands falling to his side as the two didn’t break eye contact.

“you know we’re engaged.” scott spit out like venom, his words causing a look of surprise to wash over logan’s face as his mouth fell open, “well we were.” he added out.

“you were— what?” logan fumbled out, confusion written on his face as scott rolled his eyes at his reaction. not that he cared deep down, but it felt like he did right now.

“great.. she didn’t tell you. like she didn’t tell anyone,” he said lowly, “not that it makes it any better what you’ve done,” scott casted out as a few seconds finding passed as he tried to find the words which only come out anger filled, “she’s a caniving cheating bitch.” scott cursed out, logan not bringing himself to react to the words scott ushered about jean as he looked at scott.

logan was about to say something to scott when the sound of y/n’s soft little snores filled the room which made the tension even higher as scott and logan glared at eachother.

“maybe just think next time before you fuck someone else’s girl, again.” scott managed out as he pushed past logan to leave the room.

“i don’t think she’s your girl.” logan called back out before he left as scott’s jaw clenched at his words as he opened the door.

“not anymore. you can have her.” he said harshly as he paused as he knew he had to say something.

“—just think about how y/n feels, because i know hurts.” scott spoke lowly as he left without another word clearly implying a certain fact.

logans heart skipped a beat at his words as the door shut behind scott, his mind feeling as if it was in a war as the tension built in the room immediately. the air feeling thick as he swallowed his own spit not bringing himself to call something back to him as his words couldn’t even bring themselves to form right in his brain yet alone out loud.

his eyes dawned back onto the sleeping girl y/n laying there. looking so soft and innocent, completely sound asleep and his heart couldn’t help twang a little as he bit down on the inside of his cheek — many bustling thoughts cursing his brain as he wished he had never thought of them.

his mind lingering on the thought of jean and what just occurred within him and scott as he came down from the pain that was inflicted on him his chest rising rapidly to a more normal flow as he healed. as he focused his gaze on y/n as he furrowed his eyebrows over what scott had said, trying to wrap his brain around it.

logan’s eyes dawning on y/n. guilt seeping through him as he felt his heart gain that aching feeling y/n had been riddled with since the day she first realised she was in love with the man as he sat on the foot of the bed. his mind feeling melted as he placed his hand on her own his big, gruff and rough feeling hand taking the soft touch of her hand into his own grip. her hand being half if not less of his size as he soothed her. her touch being another level of comfort he didn’t recall experiencing since he was a young boy that feeling sending memories flooding through his brain he couldn’t focus on now.

feeling all the emotions boiling up he’d been fighting to push down as he looked down at her asleep body. what was all of this? she had been distant, almost rude and very cold and scott’s words were making that why question he had on his mind for the past two weeks clearer.

the implication of scott’s words hung in his mind as he looked at her. him eventually bringing himself over to the spare place next to her in the bed not wanting to leave her alone for the night too worried about how drunk she was and if anything could happen in the night.. or anyone else drunkily walking in. but he couldn’t help deep down in knowing that those were just excuses to stay within her presence. asleep or not.

carefully building a gap between the two of them as he laid down — no matter how strong the urge to hug her and comfort her was — as he let out a rough exhale as he closed his eyes.

only to open them three seconds later to look at her. his eyes not leaving her peacefully asleep body for the rest of the night.

[knightyoomyoui]

Lose Our Control - Part 2 [+18] (COMMISSIONED)

TWICE (x Male Reader) ft. Aespa and IU

TYPE: Fluff, Smut, Heavy Angst

WORD COUNT: 12722

NOTE: IU is finally here to join the plot! This one is way longer than Part 1 (Read here) because this one contains MULTIPLE ENDINGS for you to see and decide what you prefer the best as part of me and client's agreement. Also, combining the word count of this to the previous, it has a total of 18466: making this my LONGEST ONE-SHOT YET.

Thank you everyone for the notes, reblogs, and asks as your praises for Part 1! Hope this one won't disappoint. ORDERED BY: @vl-47 TAGS: harem, LOTS of sex and kinks, yandere, obsessed psychopath

DONATE OR REQUEST FOR COMMISSION HERE: https://ko-fi.com/knightyoomyoui TRIGGER WARNING: This sequel contains mentions of violence (psychological abuse, torture, murder), and non-con.

== CONTINUATION FROM THE END OF PART 1 == The recent events that occurred two days ago has been disturbing you badly. It won’t let you sleep peacefully at night, knowing about the guilt of the huge mistake you have done. You may not remember exactly what you did, but what you’ve seen when you opened your eyes is telling that you mindlessly enjoyed it with the influence of alcohol. Three naked women sleeping alongside you that weren’t neither each of the TWICE members and seeing how all knocked up they were, you sure did put yourselves in a hell of a good time. Most people would be happy that they got the luckiest opportunity to bang a hot woman, but that’s not a case with you. How could you feel like that when you’re literally in a relationship with not only just one… but nine gorgeous woman you knew and fell in love with. That brings you to the question: Why did you do it? It was just for a moment that things have been a bit calm while you were regretting your actions and owing it with all honesty alone in your room as your conversation with Karina replays in your head since there wasn’t anything that followed up afterwards.

Yet you were wrong, it was intended to happen to prepare yourself for the worst to come. That was when Jihyo texted you that they’re arriving back to South Korea during the tour for an urgent matter, and her text seemed unusually cold. You stayed in your home, trying to compose yourself to act normal despite of your darkest secret being a distraction. The door of their dorm opened, revealing all of them one by one as they brought their luggages and bags inside.

“G-girls! You’re finally back! Let me help you with t-”

You stood up and were about to approach Jihyo but she halts and stares at you without any expression. “No need.” “B-but those look heavy… and you girls are tired from the flight.” “I said we can do this by ourselves.” JIhyo’s tone became sharper. She walked past you as she heads into her room.

“And YN… p-please leave us alone here.” Jeongyeon requested as she followed Jihyo and threw you also a menacing glare. “Can I just atleast stay here for a while and check up on you all? It’s been weeks since we haven’t seen-” “WE DON’T WANT TO SEE YOU ANYMORE, OKAY?” Nayeon yelled at you. She walked close at you and gave you a huge slap in the face. Her large hands were able to not only apply pain in your cheek, it even caused the corner of your lips to bleed. “H-how could you…w-we trusted you, we thought it’s all gonna be okay that we talked about the possibilities of each other fighting f-for attention. I thought it’s gonna be us!” They knew, you said in your thoughts. You leaned away still after the impact of Nayeon’s assault. “We were all scared and nervous that we’re going to be the reason of ruining our relationship because of how many of us we’re in love with you.” Momo said in gloomy vibe. “And we couldn’t put a finger in you because we knew you were such a likeable person, that we risked to put the blame on ourselves. Loving us had us think that it’ll be impossible for you to cheat…” Jihyo said while her back is turned at you from the hallway that leads to the bedroom. She stopped walking when she heard the loud slap that Nayeon did at you. “And yet you still did this to us?! Sana, show it.” Nayeon commanded Sana who rummaged through her bag. She pulls out her phone and played a video as she presented it to you with dreaded eyes. It’s a clip of you sitting along with Aespa as all of you laugh while drinking liquor at the bar. It ended when Karina pulled you along inside the VIP lounge. Your eyes widened in shock not just of being busted, but with how the girls knew about this. “You must be wondering, huh.” Nayeon asked you in attitude. “M-my friend Miyeon was there in the club. She recorded this because… she recognized you. She was surprised that you are meeting with other girls because…I mentioned you to her as my boyfriend.” Sana began cracking into tears. “And I can’t believe this is what you do to me.” “Behind our backs? Really, YN? How dare you.” Momo scoffed disappointedly. “Look, girls. Let me explain-” “What is there to explain, YN? You fucking cheated on us!” Nayeon went loud.

“It wasn’t my intention, okay! I was drunk at that time, I didn’t know what was happening. All I remember is that a woman named Karina just showed up beside me and talked to me. That’s it!” You tried to defend yourself. “YN… don’t be stupid, please.” Mina frowned and looked at you betrayed. “Intoxicated or not, you should’ve known already know about what too much consuming alcohol would bring you. It’s your own actions, you should be accountable.” “I-I know, okay. I;m sorry, but please believe me it wasn’t my intenti-” Nayeon pounded your chest with rampage of her fists. “And yet you still went to that damn bar! Why would you even go there in the first place!”

You became teary eyed, as you cannot endure seeing all of them getting hurt of what you’ve done. “I was lonely, okay? I tried doing everything to distract myself, but I just miss you all too much.” Some of them started crying harder, especially Dahyun and Tzuyu. “Nobody were there to join me, until my friends invited me to go there. I accepted and I-I thought drinking would ease my sadness away.” “FUCK!!!” Nayeon stomped and buried her crying face on her palm as she squatted below in front of you. “What do want us to say then, YN? That we’re sorry? Yeah, kinda but… what can we do? We’re idols, it’s our job to go in any places to entertain our fans. It’s not like we wanted to leave you too.” Momo confronted you as well. Jeongyeon came to console Nayeon as she hugged the poor woman. She looks up at you filled with rage and frustration. “What I hated the most out of anything is not only people close to me being liars, but you broke my friend’s heart, just as much as mine.” “Jeongyeon, please I really didn’t mean to-” You were about to came close to them when she shouted.”

‘YOU STAY RIGHT THERE. DON’T YOU EVER COME CLOSE TO US!” She gestured you before she focused back on cooing Nayeon. “This is… something we can’t tolerate for us to continue in this relationship, YN.” Jihyo said. “I loved you. WE loved you. I knew you do but… you still did what you did.” Jihyo cried after she said those words. “How can we ever trust you again?” “We thought we are already enough, yet you still gave yourself in to others.” Chaeyoung expressed her feelings. “It breaks my heart thinking that maybe… there’s something lacking with us that you could just be open with anybody to have you.” “Chaeng, it’s not like that. Come on, girls. All of you are enough. I will do everything to fix this, please. Just give me a chance, we should not let-” “You love us?” Nayeon looks at you, her reddish tired eyes in contact. She leans Jeongyeon away from her gently to allow herself some space. “If you… don’t want to break our hearts again. Do me and all of us favor then. Let’s break up.” Your jaw slowly dropped in shock. Panic controls you to go nearer at Nayeon and touch her. “W-wait, Nayeon please. Don’t do this. I- I can’t… I can’t let us end this way.” You tried to approach them one by one but they were all just avoiding your glances with their sobs.

“Tzu, Dubu… even you guys? Come on, please don’t leave me. I’ll do better, I promise.” You said as you observed Tzuyu and Dahyun trying to avoid you. Dahyun raised her head and met you with her shattered emotions. “How could you do this to us. Oppa? I thought we could have you with everything, but you let it go away with just a simple flirt from another woman.”

“T-Tzuyu?” You held both wrists of the maknae, encouraging her to look you in the eye. “I love you so much, please. I can’t lose you too.” You felt Tzuyu shuddered in your touch. “I don’t know what I should say, oppa. All I know is that I’m hurting. I love the entirety of you, including your body, but seeing you losing your guard just like that for others to take advantage of what should be ours… was so unfaithful of you.” Tzuyu proceeded to share her own. She was wiping her eyes using her shirt. “How can you convince us again that everything will work out just fine, that you be strong for us when you couldn’t even be loyal to us anymore?”

‘I think it’s better that we have to separate from now on. I suggest that you leave us alone for good, I can’t let our work ethics affected because of what you did to us. If you truly care for all of us, please don’t go breaking our hearts again by staying by our side.” Jihyo concluded their decision. You felt defeated and dismayed, losing all nine of them all at once has to be your worst mistake you’ve ever done in your life. You were about to keep on fighting for your relationship with them but Nayeon tugs your arm and pushes you forcefully to the door. “GET OUT! I DON’T WANT TO SEE YOU AGAIN!” Her constant hits at you adds another stabbing pain in your heart that all you can do is to cry due to loss of words of their reaction. One last time, you looked at the girls crying because of you. They really didn’t attempted to watch you disappear. You exit their dorm and as the door closes, they all started to cry harder in each other’s arms as you made your way through the hallway devastated from such a huge loss in your lovelife. The aftermath of your failed relationship with TWICE, it had you ending your contract with JYPE abruptly as a part of the favor you wanted to do for the girls. You can just admit by yourself that you would’ve wanted to be with them longer, but things won’t be the same again. You mourned for the disaster you have caused and owe it all within yourself alone in your home. Sleepless nights of dreams, what ifs, and hopes about the girl’s future and what would it’ll be like if you were still with them. During your coping with heartbreak for days both losing special people and the job you dedicate in your life, you were fixing your clothes when you noticed a folded paper inserted inside the pocket. You opened it, and it revealed a phone number with a note that says “Call me if you need someone to pick you up. We can do it again if you like.” and a wink. It must be from Karina, as you speculated that she put this inside your clothes while you were sleeping, which you weren’t aware that she actually put that when she hugged you before you left the motel. The desire of moving on and stepping back on track with your job had you encouraged to atleast settle on this. Left with no choice, you gave it a try as you dialed it on the phone. “It’s me, YN. Where can we meet? Fine, I’ll be there.”

The next day, you and Karina met in your designated place which is in a cafe shop. Hearing about the story to detail her speculations of you reaching back to her despite of that given night, she told about her preposition as a repay for what you did to them in the club.

When one door closes, another one opens for a new opportunity as they say. So you did, now finding yourself sitting in a room along with Aespa’s staffs to discuss about your deal of collaborating with them through your songs that you may write for their future albums.

It was finalized, Aespa were happy to have you officially in SM Entertainment. You felt atleast grateful and happy to have a new start with a bunch of new people, but beneath those smiles you show while you shake their hands, they don’t know that something is still off with you.

Not wanting to ruin the moment, you hid it and focus on the important scenario right now. Aespa arranged a celebration for your successful contract signing and you accepted.

As all of you gladly talked about random stuffs, you were observing them with conflicted emotions, probably because you still haven’t forgotten that they’re part of the reasons why you broke up with TWICE.

They began to shift again to their unstabilized selves after many bottles of soju. Giselle and Winter fell asleep, while Karina and Ningning initiates the things they wanna do to you since they were throwing you some seductive brushes and glares.

It all started with Karina laying her head at your shoulder, drinking one last shot before she inhales your neck. You looked at her and she caught it, it pushed her to the limit of kissing your exposed skin dangerously.

It crept up to the jaw, your cheek, then forcefully tilted your head to face her and capture your lips. Ningning paused from her drinking as she watches you and Karina starting to get intimate.

You broke the kiss. Unlike last time, you were a bit sober to do these things with them. You inspected Karina’s lust forming in her expression, that same demeanor that misled you to the forbidden affection which cost your relationship that you were once valued the most.

A part of you were mad of what they’ve done, and those voices were telling you to make them pay for it by using the same thing they used against you. You pulled Karina up in her feet and dragged her shorts down.

Her red panties are in full view, Karina breathes heavily as she watches you stare by it and feel the graze of your fingertips across her legs. Meanwhile, Ningning is still watching the show going on in front of her with a bit of jealousy.

You smooched her thighs as they rise to her blocked center. You hooked your fingers in the waistband and brought them down slowly until they planted on her feet and on the floor.

Karina steps out of it, you smelled its center part before you folded it neatly and placed it on your pocket. 

You stood up in front of her. Karina eyes you full of hunger, she bit her lips before placing her hands on your shoulders and invite you for another passionate kiss. 

“See this? It’s what you do to me. Tonight, I’m going to make sure that you’ll beg me for me to stop, that is… if I agree to it.” You said.

“If that’s what you want, then show me what you can do. Don’t hold back this time, there’s nobody you can think of anymore other than me.”

“You two must be forgetting we’re still here… especially me.” Ningning rose from her seat, placing her glass on the table. She walked towards both of you to join the fun.

“Can’t let myself getting left behind.”

“You sure you don’t want to stay there amd behave like a good girl? Because this bitch clearly doesn’t understand what’s coming after her.” You said as you fiercely cupper Karina’s chin in which she only reacted with a chuckle.

“What can I say, sluts deserves harsh treatments. I might help you with that, but… I’m a good friend as well, I fear that you may be outnumbered here.” Ningning boastfully said.

“Uh huh? So you do admit that you are just as slut as your friend right here?”

“Yes, and what are you gonna do about it?”

“Outnumbered, my ass.” You tugged Ningning and pressed her at Karina who caught her with a liplock. As they began to french kiss one another, you started to take off your clothes. “You fucking relationship breakers, I’m going to destroy both of your asses simutaneously that tomorrow morning, yall will rely to my cock just for you to properly walk into work.”

“Let’s get this all started in somewhere that ain’t… messy.” Karina said as she viewed the sight of scattered snacks and empty bottles with Giselle and Winter sleeping soundly on the carpet. Before you followed them, you placed the two on the couch to be comfortable.

Entering the bedroom, Karina pushes you to the bed and straddled you. You lift her t-shirt to reveal her matching red laced bra. The size of her tits and the color of her garment effectively made her hotter.

You grope her tits, mashing them together and pressed them to largen their shape while you feel Ningning devouring your nape and shoulders from behind. 

Helping you locate the lock, you snap it off to remove her bra. Her saggy G-cup breasts dropped in full presentation. You gulped your throat before you start suffocating your face between her holy valleys.

Karina just moaned lewdly as she felt her attractor’s face buried into her precious bosoms. “Oh mmh yes, suck them please.”

You complied, mouth capturing her rosy nipples and slurped it like there’s a milk coming out of it.

To add more pressure, Karina began grinding on your legs to stimulate her bare pussy and help you feast on her breasts further. Ningning on the other hand, already took off her shirt to reveal her proud tits to put into work by massaging your back with it.

“My turn.” Ningning interrupted your breastfeeding with Karina when she snatches your lips. Your hands were still squeezing Karina’s tits as she starts to remove your lower clothing. 

Your cock sprung up in raging erection. Karina allows Ningning to drop your half body on the bed to sit on your face while she quickly swallowed your full length without any build ups. 

The rest of the night was full of loud noises coming from their moans, your degrading curses, and rough slapping of skins from the countless manhandling you gave to them in various positions around the room.

Then, the morning you woke up, you groaned not because of how stiff and exhausted your body felt from your threesome with Karina and Ningning. It was rather your cock that is stiff being paid attention by Winter and Giselle as they double teamed your balls. 

Turning you on, you asked Giselle to lay alternate on top of you so that she turns yourselves in 69 while Winter still sucks your balls below as she fingers herself. All of you came together, with Giselle sharing some of your load directly into Winter’s mouth.

The sex was great with them. Your connection definitely grew from not just from being their new songwriter but as a friends who gives them a benefit of sex. 

You do it for them either to ease their tiredness or if they bored. This habit was both a favor and a punishment of them for you.

Meanwhile, Aespa attended a music show to promote their new song Whiplash. At the same time, TWICE was there to do the same for their song Strategy.

They saw each other backstage and interacted. This moment allowed Nayeon and Jihyo to open up a specific topic to set aside their idol life.

“We heard that YN is now working with you.” Nayeon’s mood slightly lowered at the mention of your name.

“You guys know YN?” Ningning asked.

“Yup, he wrote some songs for us. Then he terminated himself out of JYPE.” Jihyo confirmed.

“Guess he couldn’t take his fault all by himself, so instead he ran away with it.” Jeongyeon stiffled a laughter. All aespa members turned at her, their faces became serious as they suspiciously comprehended those choice of words.

“W-what did he do? Did something happened between you and him?” Karina asked.

“Yes. How about you, there has to be, right?” Nayeon smirked with a sass.

“W-what are you trying to say unnie?”

“Can we just cut the act here, girls?” Sana said. “We all know what happened between all of you and him. Or as I can mention, that night in the club?”

All of their eyes largened in surprise. “O-oh my God… u-unnie… you’re the girlfriend he’s talking about?” Winter gasped both in shock and fear.

“This is gonna be strange but to correct you, it’s girlfriendS. Plural.” Momo clarified.

They all “huh-ed” which took TWICE aback. They didn’t expected that reaction. “Wait… you girls don’t know about that?”

“No. He only said it in a singular term. We didn’t know that he was instead referring to… all nine of you.” Karina shook her head.

They all bowed and kneeled which had to girls embarassed. “We’re sorry, unnies!” They all stated in unison.

“Oh my, no stand up! Get out of the floor!” Jihyo shrieked. Fortunately they followed. “Okay, we admit we came here to confront you girls about… well having an affair with him when we were in a relationship with him. But, I think we’re just gonna skip into that a little since… we didn’t expect that you girls aren’t aware that it’s actually all of us.”

“That damn bastard, he says he loves us but he can only mention one of us as his girlfriends?!” Jeongyeon complained. 

“What’s worse is that he didn’t even mentioned any or our names.” Mina added.

“Is that how YN actually hates us?” Dahyun frowned which had the girls including Aespa to feel sad for her.

“Swear to God, unnie. We really didn’t know. I can confirm it because I was the one who initiated-” Karina paused when she received a not so hard slap from Nayeon.

“U-unnie?”

“That’s for still having an agenda to ruin someone’s relationship. What if it wasn’t YN and instead some… married man. You guys could’ve caused troubles not only in your careers but for his relationship too with his wife.” Nayeon reasoned.

“Which as you can see, happened to us.” Chaeyoung bitterly smiled. Aespa faded in guilt.

“But, we weren’t blaming you that much anymore for what happened. It’s still his fault and responsibility. And she failed with all of that.” Tzuyu said.

“That’s why we are here instead to… warn you about getting associated with him.” Jihyo said with all seriousness. “We can’t let another that will have their hearts broken because of his unloyalty and unfaithfulness.” 

“Were you all… perhaps, having feelings now for him?” Jeongyeon checked.

That question had Aespa reflecting about their recent encounters with him. Sure, sex with you was great but… they never had the time to concentrate on their feelings if you are already creating an effect for them aside from pleasure.

“W-we haven’t talked about that yet.” Karina denied, with the rest emphasizing it with a shake of their heads.

“So, just impressions?”

“Yeah, he’s pretty good. Wouldn’t try to object about his looks, well we do understand why all of you were concerned of other women trying to get into him.” She swallowed the lump in her throat after saying that, as she cleverly blamed themselves.

“We’re telling you now in advance that you should do something to prevent yourselves from getting too attached with him. You know what happened to us, and now that he found a new collection through all of you, he might do it again.” Jihyo warned them.

“Once a cheater, always a cheater, guys.” Nayeon shrugged.

“Anyways, we still do know our part that we can’t dictate what others feel, but just so you know we’re giving you already a heads up about the consequences. Don’t… don’t let yourselves get hurt.” Jihyo said, her emotions almost collapsed as she remembered the altercation, which was the last time they saw you. “I suggest it’s better to remain friends with him.”

All aespa members nodded to what the TWICE’s charismatic leader advised for them. They bid their goodbyes after congratulating and showing how delighted they are to see their fellow sunbaes. 

Sana was the one to depart, and before she tailed along with her co-members, she left one last favor for Aespa to do for her and probably on behalf of them.

“Take care of him, please. We don’t know what we lacked but… try to do better.”

ACT 4The following weeks have been very baffling for Aespa, and their minds couldn’t just focus properly on the priorities when they always get to see your face in the same environment you both were working in.Just a glimpse of your presence and it took them both to recall their interaction with their seniors whom they still didn’t expect that they were once yours. Ofcourse, it does affect their way of encountering you. It irritates them to the point that they’ve decided to give themselves a space to process everything not because of what they’ve learned about you, but the possibilities of what’s actually building up inside of them for you. These actions didn’t fail to get on your senses, as it slowly becoming noticeable of you that they somehow look a bit different communicating with you than the recent times they’ve had with you. It’s not that you were expecting, but they’ve gone less frequent on initiating sex with you. It wasn’t surprising until they also started to only laugh or speak occasionally, only because they make themselves unavailable to get along with you due to being ‘busy’. You know that’s not it, and so was them. You wanted to know if something is going on, so that’s why you give it a shot of questioning them regarding on that matter. It left you puzzled when they said ‘nothing’ and still they blamed work for draining their energy these days. Offering assistance, they declined. No more forcing occurred afterwards, you just let them be alone as requested. As your chat with them ended, the members sigh problematically, they just didn’t know what to do with you. It’s highly hypocritical and audacity of them to be mad for you that you’ve cheated, that’s why they were skipping into that truth. Rather, they are living into a lesser shameful and a reasonable cause of them to limit themselves from you. They’re just disappointed of how things turned out because of them and… what might happen if it was them now in TWICE’s position when they were with you. To put it simply, they’re currently struggling in this emotional conflict and tension within their decisions and feelings all about you. Back to where you are, you may not forgive what Aespa has done for you and TWICE but at the same time, you also couldn’t help but to feel alone knowing that all of the people you got to be very close inside this industry are currently out of your reach. It makes you sad that Aespa were going through tough times without your help, but they couldn’t surpass the amount of loneliness and longing you have everyday for TWICE. You were about to sleep into your comfy bed when your phone buzzed a notification. Opening it, all of your thoughts were a speaking of the devil. Talking about a perfect timing, someone wants to meet up with you, and unlike the last time, you accepted it initially because knowing this person since you two were little, she could never be cruel for you. The next day, you drove your car to the rendezvous she marked. Stopping by into her house, there she was, standing on the stairs to her doorway. Your childhood friend and sister-figure of your life, IU greeted you with a very cheerful demeanor. “Hiiii YN!” She waved her hand at you. You got out of the car and opened the door for her like a gentleman. Her instant hugged at you made you flinched and laugh at her usual clingy side. “Hey, easy haha. Hello to you as well noona.” You reciprocated the hug. It honestly felt so good, aside from your ex-girlfriends, she’s the other woman who could make you feel that love and care that gives off what a family should be. “I missed you so much. We haven’t seen each other in like forever.” She pouted.

“I mean, that’s what you get for being very famous in Korea right now.” She slapped you on the arm. “Ouch!” “So you are mocking me now just because I’m famous? Well what can I do, atleast I have a better job than you, and I never feel ashamed of being an idol” She teased you by taking out her tongue that had you rolling your eyes. “Yeah yeah yeah you are richer than me. I get it, ever since before you’re obsessed with money. No surprise.” “Stupid, that’s not it…. Or maybe just a little.” You shook your head as you found her silly antics ridiculous. “But shut up, okay? How dare you spit lies on me, I’m doing it because of my fans.” “Sure, sure. Whatever you say.” You joked. “Ugh stop annoying me.” She showed it in her face which kind of turned her adorable. Like a sister, you really love pissing her off. “Why are you keep blabbering out here. Come on, time is running we should start this day immediately.” She pushes you to make you reenter the car and get yourselves out of here.

“You should appreciate this, okay? I even had to sacrifice my dayoff to rest from all the shootings and everything just to meet you.” IU pretends to sulk. “I told you on the phone that I’ll be there when you need me, and I mean it.” You smiled and looked at her. “Yeah I know, and thank you for spending your time with me, noona. I do needed this, you know… to be free of this stressful life I just entered after I became a songwriter.” IU’s grin of hearing your grateful remark shrank when you mentioned your problem. “Was your job draining you that much? Didn’t quite expect that writing songs would be that tiring.”

“Yah, are you boasting out on me now?” You voiced out while your attention is fixed on the road. “Idiot, what I mean is that was JYPE making you write songs for their entire groups signed with them? How can you say your job is stressing you out?” IU elaborated. “We’ll talk about that later. For now, can we just enjoy the drive, please? I don’t want to start all of these right away with deep stuffs and such.” IU nodded. “As you say so, here lemme play my playlist. You better tell me what’s going on later okay? I want to know what I’m helping you with.” Reaching the largest mall in the city, you and IU went on to a shopping spree, even buying things for you as a gift in which you gladly accepted. She did everything to cheer you up with your worries and it did worked somehow. Just like the old days, she would watch a movie with you, take photos together, and play some arcade to compete with one another to check who is still better in games. However, among all of that, nothing can still top the favorite part of your time with her: food trip. While eating, you were reminded of your promise with her which encouraged you to open up about it. As usual, IU would listen to you in all ears, you narrated the entire story from the moment you signed in JYPE as a songwriter that led you to meet TWICE, the strange relationship you had with all of them, the breakup, and how you were involved with Aespa nowadays. IU’s reaction either falls or rises, particularly about the relationship you had with all of them. She became serious after hearing everything she had to know and to express her somber and empathy, she hugged you again in comfort. “I don’t know what I did… it makes me think I’m not fit for any of this.” Your emotions bawling inside. “I wanted to fix things right but it’s like I just want to move on from everything.” “I suggest you do it, YN.” IU advises. “They won’t do good on you if you still keep yourself connected with them. The burden of what you’ve created will never stop triggering your anxiety and guilt. For TWICE, well I do understand why they must be upset… I mean, you betrayed them but, you won’t suffer this much if they never let you get into this… toxic relationship of loving them all equally. They also have fault here somehow, don’t you think? As for Aespa… well going for revenge might not be worth it, YN. Shouldn’t you stop being near with them? Don’t forget what they did, but was it necessary for you to join them? What would TWICE will respond if they know that you associated with them? Do you think it’ll make them happy? No. Hate to break it to you, YN but… 

That’s why from now on, it’s better for you to leave them for good. Have a fresh new start, I can guide you with that.” You looked at her, she observed how fragile you are and it aches her. “You can?” “Yes, everything. I can give you everything that they can’t. And unlike them, I would do it all by myself.” IU confidently said, she stroked your hair to ease your emotions. “Come here.” She invited you for another embrace, You sobbed again, the more you let it all out on her, the more she bears anger for TWICE and Aespa for both putting you in an unhealthy relationship that manifested a horrible consequence in which you only had to handle responsibility since you’re the one who obviously sinned. Furthermore, it left her to return another side of her that YN never got to witness beforehand. Since they were little, your bond with IU had her to exceed your view of her role in your life. If she felt like your sister, then IU finds you to be her first-found love. 

And it never disappeared. She only had to hid it beneath her other priorities in life. But now that you’re back to become a part of her present situations in result of your lovelife issues, it motivated her to relive her deep feelings for you and use it to make you live in her future that she thinks you deserve. As IU wraps you in her arms, her thoughts are filled with plans of how to take care of you. At long last, she found the perfect time to finally disobey the platonic companionship and completely act using her heart beating romantically for you through the years. ACT 5

A true commitment to her words, IU walked the talk by beginning her agenda through the following days. Unlike before, she can insert a time for you frequently, even when you are with Aespa either she checks upon how you’re doing or she’ll invite you again to another gathering.

It was touching and grateful at first that IU is pouring a lot of effort of being your bestfriend that you can trust and rely to be on your side. How shameful of you to still not found her unhelpful when she literally sacrificing her busy schedule just for you.

Still, you feel shy and worried that you must be another burden that IU should carry, that’s why you reminded her not to babysit you too much that it affects her job. You tried to convince her that you’ll just gonna signal her if something might go wrong again between you and Aespa, but this is how the events starts to go downward spiral for you.

IU didn’t got mad at your assurance, but she declined. She said that you will never be a hindrance for her and that everything she’s doing right now is all for him only and because of him. 

At first you took it as some normal overprotective friend type of behavior from IU, but you began to spot some faulty antics from her that is making you a bit uncomfortable.

Sure yes, you appreciate her for being just one call away. However, her availability to reach you is slowly passing into the red line of boundaries that she might not be aware.

What you’re saying is that… IU wanted so much to let herself be known that she’s there for you that she hasn’t fail to come and see you everyday. She can be found in front of your dorm, outside of SM Ent. , and other places where she’s there to wait and watch for you.

It’s getting a little creepy from her, you thought. Why is she’s so determined to do this like it’s her glorious purpose to keep you psychologically stable from all problems when you already told her that she’ll be guaranteed to hear from you again when you need her.

Her obvious monitoring of you had you been concerned of her physical well-being since it must be tiring that she had to visit you when she’s tired from getting out from work. You just want her to stop this because your frequent meetups with her might become obvious to the public eye.

She was once seen by Winter and Giselle when they head out of the company for a while and they saw you chatting with IU wearing full jacket, a mask, and a cap to disguise herself. They secretly watched your conversation and after IU left, they were stunned when she entered a luxurious car.

Their curiosity piqued, they had you questioned if who that person is. You revealed it to be IU and that she stopped by to greet a friend. It was still bland, cold, and short interaction, as they just proceeded back on their tasks while you were left confused and tired from their behavior of being distant with you.

One day, IU invited you to eat with her outside but you had to refuse because there’s an ongoing studio production of a song again for Aespa. She said that she’ll still be waiting when you’re done and dropped the call when you were about to advice her to just move it the next day.

That made her to wait for hours on the restaurant she reserved, drunk herself out of wines she took plenty amount of times while you were there, busy contributing another song to add in Aespa’s discography.

It was the start of IU’s anger for Aespa to boil, and because of them she established a standard of having any women around you distracting your supposed to be time together be spiteful. Not even TWICE is safe from IU’s growing eagerness to have your attention piece by piece.

She had enough when you cut your stay in IU’s home short when surprisingly Aespa called you for an urgent discussion with them.

You were about to head out when IU began to spoke behind you.

“YN… was it really that important?” 

“I guess so, maybe duty calls.”

“But, are they?”

“Beg your pardon?”

IU sighed and started whining. “YN, can you tell me what exactly did they want you to go for?

“Uhh they said it’s just urgent. That’s it.”

“So you weren’t sure. Maybe they just want you there to use you again. You should just stay here instead.”

“Use me? What do you mean?”

“Oh come on, don’t you still see it? They’re just keeping you there in the company because they only want your skill to make them successful. Now that they’ve gone tired socializing with you, they all look at you nothing but a tool of their benefit. Well, not just for their career, but also for sex.”

“I-I don’t think that’s it. I went there to continue making myself being a songwriter to use. It’s not about them.”

“Oh really? Then why are you so excited to go out there and meet up with them, huh? Why? Were you expecting that you’re gonna make up with them after all these problems between you and them? Or… you just want to get another taste afterwards?”

“Ji-eun, stop. Why are you twisting my words?”

“I just…” IU came forward to hug you. “I don’t want you to go yet. Please.”

“Ji-eun… I really have to. Sorry, but I’ll be screwed if its for their project.”

You were about to leave when you heard a glass shatter. Abruptly turning, you saw IU with her hair down, she’s staring at the floor with a menacing stance.

Broken glass were around her. “Ji-eun, are you okay?!” You start to kneel and search for her feet for any signs of cut and bleeding.

“I want you to get out of that company.”

“What?”

“Work with me. Atleast there, I’ll treat you with care and I’ll respect you both in our personal lives and as work partners.”

“Ji-eun, it’s not easy.”

“What’s stopping you from leaving them alone?!”

“BECAUSE I’M DOING THIS TO GET BACK FROM THEM!!!” You raised your voice, making her stare at you in surprise. “I want them to realize that tearing me and TWICE members apart only result for nothing!”

“That’s why I’m saying it’s not about them. It’s always about Nayeon, Jeongyeon, Momo, Sana, Jihyo, Mina, Dahyun, Chaeyoung… and Tzuyu. Those nine were the reason I’m still staying with them even though God know I never wanted to.

I want to use them, take advantage of whatever they had, a fair share to be exact. Don’t you think I don’t realize that those girls would fall for me, Ji-eun?”

“Then why did you still want to go?” Ji-eun asked.

“Because if ever a time comes that one of them… or all of them just like what TWICE did, I want to break their hearts in the end instead. And if that time is today, I would be reject them without any hesitation… and I want to witness it by myself of how broken they will be, without any mercy or pity.”

“Revenge, huh?” IU chuckled. “So it’s not for Aespa… it’s all about TWICE this whole time?”

“Yes.”

IU laughs hysterically. “What a load of bullshit.”

She stepped closer at you. “Ji-eun, be careful! The glasses-”

“Shut up! What you do to me right now hurts more than these freaking shards I would’ve love to cut myself into.” She roared. “For TWICE? What, do you think it’s all worth it? YN, get your eyes wide open! They’re just useless and inconsiderate than those Aespa bitches!”

“Don’t be rash at them, they’re not.”

“Why? You’re still in denial, aren’t you? Whatever you do, that will forever stuck with them! It’s not gonna make you come back with them, you’re just wasting your damn time!”

“Who are you to tell what’s right or wrong for me, goddamnit! You were never there, Ji-eun! You don’t know what I’ve been through!”

“Playing victim in a situation that you’ve created? How cute of you.” IU scoffed.

You shook your head and groaned at how stressful IU is making these things for you. “Seriously, why are you doing this? Why are you trying to hold me back for? Were you perhaps, one of them as well?”

“I’m not.” IU pressed you on the wall and eyed you like a predator trapping her prey. “I’m better than them. How? I could love you with all my heart. I care for you, not to be shared by anybody. You’ll never get enough of me, YN. I’m completely natural for you.”

IU starts to kiss your neck as she starts ripping off your shirt. “I could never be a horrible woman like them.” She grabbed your head and kissed you fiercely. “Face it, YN. I am the only one who can give you anything than all of them combined.”

“But… Ji-eun…” You spoke after IU moved through your chest, peppering it with pecks of her lips. As she was about to attempt giving you hickeys, she paused when a deafening silence attacked her after hearing the words that felt like erupted her eardrums.

“I don’t love you.”

She just laid her head on your triceps. You watched her below, as you regretfully broke her heart. IU is a wonderful woman, you admit… but not enough to be a living personification of your ideal type.

“Why are you… making this so hard for me, YN?” IU starts to cry. “Ever since we were little, I’ve been holding these feelings for you, wanted you to acknowledge it. I thought everything we had would convince you to love me back.”

“But now that we’re here and I’m back to save you, you couldn’t even give me back what I want in return from you.”

She pulled something from her pocket. You then felt something pierced on your wrist that made you grunt in pain. 

IU stabbed you with a syringe with a clear fluid inside. You looked at her with widened eyes, and at that moment, the IU you once knew was no longer standing in front of you.

This one right here, is a much more obsessed, delusional, and possessive unlike she was. Its as if she transformed into a completely different person, gone with those compliments you had for her.

“You’re such an ungrateful bastard, YN. But don’t you worry now. I can still fix everything. It’s never too late for us to love one another, as long as I am the one in control.” 

Your vision of her starts to get blurry, your head spins, and you weren’t aware that you already collapsed on IU’s arms. Her empty expression in her face turns into a victorious smirk.

She closes the door and locks it. Dragging your body to her bedroom, she laid you and went for her cabinet. With handcuffs on your wrists bounded on the headboard, she could only watch you unconscious figure filled with lust.

“Sucks that this has to go this way. I wanted for you to see ourselves savor this moment. I guess I’ll just gonna wait for you to make it happen.” She giggled as she ran her fingertips through your midsection.

“Sleep tight for now my dear YN.” She kissed your lips and bit your lower lip before she slept over your upper body.

Hours later, it was now dark outside as you slowly woke up from getting knocked down by a substance inserted to you by IU. Speaking of her, you found her sleeping peacefully on your stomach.

You remembered what happened earlier that led her to do something unexpected. It wasn’t that she can only offer, as you realized that as you were about to stand up slowly and attempt to escape, your hands are shackled to the bed.

“Shit. What the fuck did she do to me?” You mumbled. You tried to break free, which made IU woke up from the sounds of clanging metal created by the handcuffs around the bars of the headboard.

“Oh, you’re awake. What time is it now?” She peeked at her phone. “9PM. Oh we have a lot of time for tonight.”

“W-what do you mean? What is this, Ji-eun? Why am i handcuffed, let me out of here!”

“Ssshhh… don’t worry, YN. I’ll let you go later.” She shushed you with her finger on your lips. “For now, let’s try something fun that we’ve never done before.” 

She starts to unbuckle your pants and tug it out, your boxers are now visible to her. “Finally we can start, I’ve waited patiently, you know?” 

“Help! SOMEBODY HELP!!!!”

“Oh that’s no good, be a good boy and don’t scream will you?” She grabs a scarf and covered your mouth. “We can’t let anyone see you bare naked in here, right? Oh well, they’ll rather gonna end up dead as they step here anyway.”

Your eyes stared at her in horror as she laughs at her supposed to be funny dark humor. This childhood friend of yours has gone insane, and now she’s about to strip you down while you only watch her do so.

“Don’t you know how much I wanted to do this? The more I think of you, the more I imagine everything about you that I haven’t seen yet. And that includes your body.”

She removed your boxers, revealing your underwear with the outline of your semi-erect cock in view. IU moaned at its sight and almost drooled by it. “Oh would you look at that. My fantasies has come to reality.”

“When you began working out, I got so invested to explore how you actually look physically, without any clothes for me to be blocked.” She sniffed at your clothed crotch, smelling its musky scent. “I always assumed that you’re packing from head to toe, especially this buddy you have here.” She giggled as she grate her fingers at the length of your cock.

She watched it twitch, begging to break free from its confines. “He wants me to touch it, let’s not make him wait, shall we?” IU smirked as she looks at you while she holds your underwear before removing it.

Your cock sprung freely, now in your full size erection brought by her teasing. “N-no… no!!! Don’t you dare, Ji-eun! T-this isn’t right!”

She pinched the foreskin of your cock which made you stretch your legs in pain. “SO IF ITS THEM, IT’S COMPLETELY ALRIGHT? FUCKING THEM ALL THAT EASILY?” 

She straddled your abdomen and slapped your face. “Yah, stop acting like that, pervert. From now on, I’m the only one who could get to touch you like this, you hear me? I’m the only one who has the access of this, you can’t fuck anyone than me because we love each other. Understood?” She directed while choking your neck.

“J-ji-eun… make it stop, please. I don’t want this to happen. Why did you changed?” You asked with a croaky voice.

“I never changed, what are you talking about? This side of me has been there in me for so long, and you left me with no other choice but to embrace it.” She gripped the girth of your cock and starts to stroke it. “Because if I won’t, I could never get to have you. And I hate that.”

Her hand pleasuring you is making you difficult to prevent expressing relief and satisfaction to her, because if you do, you’ll be looking like you’re enjoying this rather.

“It’ll take some time for you to get used to it, that’s why for now… all you have to do is lay there comfortably, while I do all the work for us tonight, baby. I’m going to use your cock, show you how more amazing our sex can be than what you had with those bunch of whores, and make ourselves feel good. What do you say?”

You didn’t answer as you frighteningly watched her jerk you off and spit on her hands to add more slimy friction. She also cupped your testicles and felt their weight. “They seem so full, God I’m going to make you let your semen fill me up to the brim. The thought of TWICE and Aespa not being able to take this from me anything is hnnghh…” She rubbed her pussy from her shorts. “Turning me on so bad.”

“Tonight, I’m going to make you mine. And we’ll be together forever.” 

“N-no… please, stop, Ji-eun” You cried as IU continues to increase her performance by involving her mouth now, sucking you passionately until the pacing increases.

She took the whole of it, buried her face down to your crotch where the tip of her nose is now poking your little pubic hairs. IU slid out and breathed deeply with some coughs after trying deepthroat for the first time on such huge cock like yours.

Gritting your teeth, gripping on the handcuffs tightly, shutting your eyes, you did everything to force yourself from cumming. It was super challenging especially this woman right here is shockingly well-trained which isn’t like her for her first time, she really does giving you a great blowjob so far.

Your balls weren’t safe either, her licking and fondling those pair is encouraging your seed to escape through your shaft but you tried to hold on. Adrenaline runs through your veins in frantic measures when IU starts to ejaculate you faster and tighter.

“O-oh my God… s-stop, I-I’m gonna…”

“I can tell you’re cumming, YN and I want it right now. Come on, give it all, baby.”

“Shit… n-no… please” IU continues to pump you demandingly. She also began caressing and playing with your balls which stimulates your crotch further.

“Fuck!!! If you keep doing that-”

“YES GIVE IT TO ME!!! CUM FOR ME, YN!!!”

“JI-EUNNN!!!!” You shouted her name as you blasted ropes of pure white cum straight in her face as she pointed your cock towards her. It felt like everything has gone slow mo, you lengthen your moans and whimpers while IU joyfully receives your massive load for a lewd facial.

She really wasn’t kidding. She emptied your cum by taking time to scoop them around her face and take it into her mouth. She was humming in delight at how delicious it was while you were left there still catching your breath at how long she edged your cock.

“Ready for round two?”

“What?”

“Silly you, the night has just begun for us. Don’t be such a killjoy, we can fuck for how long we want tonight. Only think about us, okay?”

Your tears flowed out of your eyes as IU starts to remove her clothes and present you her sexy body. Your hormones betrayed you, as the sight of her ample tits and that cute pussy of hers made your cock to harden again.

IU saw that and chuckled. Seeing how “excited” you are, she took you in her ride. The following hours were full of suffering in pleasure. Confusing as it is, but that’s only how you describe your situation at this point.

You felt betrayed as you thought your childhood friend would be the one to assist you for your goal. Yet here she was, becoming the worse than them by taking advantage of you physically, mentally, and emotionally for her own benefit, which was highly ironic of her.

It just confirms you that she’s out of her mind right now, and she definitely needs some help. But right now, you have to think for yourself first and how to get out of this.

IU continues to violate you as she used your cock to drain your cum greedily for her satisfaction all night long. Until 5AM, the bed creaks with her bouncing on your lap in sitting and reverse cowgirl, shoving her lips to your moist mouth, and even grinding around your body by using her petite figure. She also had you participate as well by turning yourselves in 69 position, making you eat her pussy with your hands in restriction.

With one last spurt of cum to her pussy, she slips out of your cock and collapses on top of you. She scanned your exhausted self and admired it.

“As what I promised, I let you out for today because like you said, you still got some shit to do with Aespa. 

Beware though, YN. Don’t do anything stupid, every step you make everywhere, you can’t run from me. I can even hire some bodyguards to watch you and I can pay them as long as they do their jobs right. That’s why I strongly warn you not to do anything stupid, I don’t want to punish you, okay?” She threatened. You gulped and slowly nodded at her insane motive.

Great, she just made everything worse for you. You cannot move around freely and finish what you’re planning for Aespa and TWICE because of how she traumatized and suffocates you in her obsessive attraction.

She went from being the wise option to  becoming your biggest problem, and it required you to focus on this by getting rid of her. This isn’t right, the relationship you’re about to have with her will never be ordinary.

However, this won’t be possible if you’ll do it alone. Now that she’s going to hire some men to watch your movements and possibly assist her of taking control of you, you will need help in this escapade.

ENDING #1 | THE BAD ENDING

It took you 2 days to guard your house if there’s any suspicious men standing in front of your house or she herself would go spying again.. There’s no shocker if IU already made her move this instant.

That woman must be going even crazier now that she doesn’t have you under her presence, she’ll do anything to keep herself updated about your routine.. For now, you don’t care that much as you dislike how she turned in a new persona that won’t grant her what she’s dying to claim since long time ago.

Time is running short, if the other side made themselves still active, you don’t have to just wait for nothing and submit yourself ini impending danger. “Fuck this” you whispered to yourself before grabbing a jacket and a hat, preparing  yourself in order to be unrecognizable on her radar.

In one swift alert, you immediately ran out of your house android the taxi you booked. Requesting for the driver to go faster as you told him the destination you’re about to go, your body slumped in both relief and worry for the possibility of other cars tailing the cab from behind, thankfully it didn’t happen.

After you were dropped at the familiar place, you walked through the pathway and entered the lobby. You informed the receptionist of your intention of being a guest who only wants to visit a close person that lives here with a convincing pretend.

Each footsteps as you get nearer and nearer made you tensed and anxious. It makes you harbor sorrow reminiscence visualizing all the memories you made with those girls in this place while remembering what happened the last time you and TWICE had a fight. Not a great goodbye to wrap up everything that started remarkably..

But, if you were that desperate and dedicated to formulate a plan of holding IU in custody, you have to grow balls and confront them about the aftermath including the words you wanted to say for them but never had the guts to went through.

You knocked on the door thrice and waited. The intercom attached below the emergency exit plan pinned on the wall began to speak.

“Who is it?” You recognized that voice, emotions swelling up inside.

“N-Nayeon, I-it’s YN…” Your response was shaky. 

“W-what are you doing here? What do you want?” Her tone suddenly changed to devious when your identity got unveiled.

“Look, Nayeon. I know you don’t want to see me or talk to me anymore but please just this once, hear me out.” You pleaded sincerely.. “I am completely owing what I did and I know I wronged for that, bigtime. I cost our relationship and I’ll always gonna regret doing that to you girls.

I love all, still. But i didn’t came to request for us to get back together. II came here instead to… ask some help.”

“Help?” Nayeon perturbed inquired. “For what?”

“You know my friend right? IU? Your biggest idol in K-Pop?” 

“Yeah?” She responded quizzically. “And what does this have to do with her?”

“She’s… gotten to be someone I used to know. Nayeon, my friend isn’t normal anymore after she… c-confessed to me and I humbly didn’t return the same admiration for her. She suddenly turned to be obsessed with me and now she wants me to be hers even if I don’t want to. I am scared, Nayeon. I don’t know what she might do but… I am dead serious that I want to distance myself away for me for how long it might take.”.

“Wait wait… are you saying that IU sunbaenim is a stalker of yours?”

“Exactly, and I know I messed up real bad that I have to come in here to meet up with you. I can’t even stay here for longer,  she’s watching me, Nay. Please, I want your help.” Your tone starts to be invaded with dread and depression. 

Her end went silence for a second before she spoke again, not with the words you were hoping for her to respond though. “YN… are you drunk? You sound like you’re just making up stories.” “W-what? N-no I’m not making this u-” “If you think for one single solitary second that I would just open this door and let us see each other face to face, you ain’t getting any of that. I’m not falling for your tricks anymore, YN.” “Nayeon!” Your panicking urges your voice to raise. “Y-you’re taking it differently, I came here just by that. How can I just pull a prank on you a-and…” “I CAN’T TRUST YOU ANYMORE, that’s why, YN. So are they.” Nayeon made it loud and clear. “IU sunbae is into you? Well I won’t be surprised with that, I mean you did the same with our Aespa juniors.” “Wait, what?” “You didn’t know? But don’t worry, I won’t let that occur, just for you to stop spinning people’s heads and play with their feelings in the end when you enter another relationship with them, not on our watch, YN.” Nayeon confidently said. “We already talked with them and guess what? They know our history now, scumbag.” You went speechless of Nayeon’s revelation, making sense why Aespa was being distant from you all this time. The more she brashly downgrade you, the lower your hopes fall of receiving rescue on your current dilemma. Tears form in your eyes as you bang your head in the wall feeling dizzy of giving up, all of your plans crumbled simultaneously. “Whether it’s true or not, we don’t care about you anymore, YN. We broke up with you,  it’s over for us. We don’t want nothing from you, so stop trespassing in our lives to gain another meaning or forgiveness because it’s your karma face and deserve it.”

She cut the line, leaving you slip on your knees and sob in anguish. Out with your revenge with Aespa and making amends with TWICE. All you can do now is to hold on, be stubborn to accept the fact that it’s IU’s world you’re about to live in. As you came home, you opened the lights and to your shock, IU was standing in the middle of the living room behind the chair. In front was a table covered in black cloth. Your fear subdues, desperation for help ran through your senses.

“You’re home. I hope you enjoyed meeting TWICE in person… behind my back.” IU wore a disturbing smile on her face as she sways a belt in her hand. “Ji-eun. It wasn’t what you’re thinking, okay? P-please, spare me.” You went on your knees and prayed for salvation. “You already got me once, I won’t let it repeat again.” she shook her head. “You think I could just walk around untracked?” She grabs her phone and saw a dot on a map that shows a location, and to your realization, she put a tracking system on your phone while you were asleep from her drugging you. “Very slick of you, YN. Having someone to have eyes and ears wherever you are, its kind of boring don’t you think?” “Ji-eun ah, please. Don’t do this, I- I will never do that, o-okay? Please… please…” You rushed to hug IU’s legs as you aggressively beg for your safety. “You should’ve done that way earlier.” IU’s tone went deep. “BOYS! COME OUT AND HELP ME WITH HIM!” Four men came out through your bedroom and approached you. Eyeing them all both confused and afraid, you tried to slip around and dodge their grasp as they began dragging you into the chair. “No… NO! GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME! J-JI-EUN AH!!!” You wailed as large men cuffed you in the seat, covered your mouth with a ball gag, and stripped your lower garment to expose your cock for IU.. As you groaned and grunted around the seat, you paused when IU unveiled the contents of the table, dozen set of what it seems to be sex toys and BDSM stuffs laid neatly. “I said it once and I warned you to not make me punish you, but since you’ve done the same to me, making me feel like I’m just as horrible as those bitches are. You’re gonna get it, YN.” She reached for a wand-looking vibrator and activated it. “I’m going to fucking drain your cum until morning as you sit there like a good boy for me. Understood?” You hummed in denial, not wanting any of it but you’re completely helpless at this point. Without any further ado, the bodyguards left the scene as IU starts to stimulate your cock by poking the wand’s tip on it, feeling its intense vibration to make your shudder in the chair. Meanwhile, TWICE and Aespa are on their respective dorms, their still kept feelings for you had them contemplating if what they did at you was right. ENDING #2: BITTERSWEET ENDING After Nayeon went silent on the intercom, she decided to discard her doubts at you as part of her is telling that you must be telling the truth. “If that’s what will make you to quit pursuing us, then fine. Just this once and when it’s done. I want you to disappear and stay away from us forever,got it ?” You hesitated for a while, you still do love her, but your fate nowadays is demanding a sacrifice of that miracle to repair what’s broken and start all over again with TWICE. Tears flowed in your eyes as you accepted that you and them will never meant to last… or probably to love one another. “O-okay. After this I… I’ll stop bothering any of you again. T-thank you, Nayeon.” She didn’t answer anymore. You left the front of their dorm with bittersweet tears flowing in your cheek, conflicted in relief and devastation for your heart to submerge. As you came home, you opened the lights and to your shock, IU was standing in the middle of the living room behind the chair. In front was a table covered in black cloth. Your fear subdues, desperation for help ran through your senses.

“You’re home. I hope you enjoyed meeting TWICE in person… behind my back.” IU wore a disturbing smile on her face as she sways a belt in her hand. “Ji-eun. It wasn’t what you’re thinking, okay? P-please, spare me.” You went on your knees and prayed for salvation. “You already got me once, I won’t let it repeat again.” she shook her head. “You think I could just walk around untracked?” She grabs her phone and saw a dot on a map that shows a location, and to your realization, she put a tracking system on your phone while you were asleep from her drugging you. “Very slick of you, YN. Having someone to have eyes and ears wherever you are, its kind of boring don’t you think?” “Ji-eun ah, please. Don’t do this, I- I will never do that, o-okay? Please… please…” You rushed to hug IU’s legs as you aggressively beg for your safety. “You should’ve done that way earlier.” IU’s tone went deep. “BOYS! COME OUT AND HELP ME WITH HIM!” Four men came out through your bedroom and approached you. Eyeing them all both confused and afraid, you tried to slip around and dodge their grasp as they began dragging you into the chair. “No… NO! GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME! J-JI-EUN AH!!!” They bounded your hands on the handlebars of the chair and muffled your mouth with ball gag to restrict any sounds you create that may grab the neighborhood’s attention. Unbeknownst to them, TWICE already called the police including IU’s company regarding about to matter. Sirens echoed around the area, IU and the bodyguards became alerted with the blue, light, and red lights flashing through the window. “Shit, w-what did you do!” IU barked furiously at you. Sounds of running footsteps can be heard from outside. The doors were barged, policemen are gathered outside as the bodyguards surrendered. “Motherfuckers! Why didn’t you all shoot them!” “POLICE! PUT YOUR HANDS UP!” The policemen warned IU. Panicking, she quickly grabbed a knife and pointed it at your neck as she wraps your head around her arm. “HOLD IT!” The leader commanded his men as they start raising their guns at her. “LEE JI-EUN, YOU ARE UNDER ARREST FOR KIDNAPPING YN/LN. DROP YOUR KNIFE OR WE WON’T HESITATE TO SHOOT YOU.” “DON’T YOU DARE, I WILL STAB HIM RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW!” IU exclaimed. You couldn’t do anything but to sob and stare at the police for mercy.

To your surprise, all of TWICE and aespa members came inside your house while being guarded by the police. They saw your pitiful condition with IU, and they saw the truth with their own eyes. The once idolized by many has turned to a horrendously obsessive   love-crazed psychopath. “IU SUNBAENIM, STOP THIS. PLEASE!” Jihyo shouted. “THIS ISN’T YOU. DON’T RUIN YOUR CAREER JUST FOR HIM!” Karina added. “ALL OF YOU, SHUT UP! DON’T DICTATE ME WHAT I HAVE TO DO FOR HIM.” IU grunted. “HE’S MINE ONLY! NOBODY CAN TAKE HIM AWAY FROM ME, ESPECIALLY YOU BUNCH OF SLUTS!” “Unnie, don’t do this. You can have him now, he’s all yours.” You stared at Nayeon as you heard her. She glances at you, unspoken lingering feelings remaining for one another caught that as a means of goodbye. “We’ve had enough and it stays like that. You can make him change his feelings and grab his attention for yours only without any use of violence of harm. That’s not how you win a person’s heart by turning into a monster.” IU just listened at Nayeon’s appeal. The police were still holding on to their guard in case the suspect pulls out a life-risking manoeuvre. “You were mistaken. It’s your time now, unnie. You should’ve made use of it properly.” Ningning assisted her senior to prevent the misled superstar. “He wouldn’t let me.” IU started crying as she held at the back of your chair for assistance. She dropped the knife she use for threat, the police rushed to arrest the woman while some removed you from hostage. IU was taken to a psychiatric mental hospital in Seoul while you are under therapy due to depression from everything that transpired in the past months. As one last proper goodbye before parting ways for good, TWICE brought you food for your recovery and thanked you for everything despite of what happened before officially turning yourselves from strangers with lots of buried memories created together..

ENDING #3: HAPPY ENDING“I’ll think about it and inform them.” Nayeon told you before ending your communication with them. Grateful and holding on for one last hope at least after she considered your concern, now you wait to learn if your chance of survival still exists against IU’s control. Hours later, IU surprisingly greeted you in a menacing way, invading your property. The bodyguards joined her to set you up for a punishment she could think of by sexually torturing you. Sirens of police cars can be heard, your heart pumped fast as you heard the sound of rescue coming for you. Policemen arrived at the scene of a crime, they cornered IU and the bodyguards. Your eyes watered as you saw TWICE and Aespa made their way to help the police encourage IU to retreat in the power of the law. “Unnie, don’t do this. This won’t make you any less better for him. ” You stared at Nayeon as you heard her. She glances at you and nodded as a gesture to your gratitude. “Consider about your career and your relationship with YN through these years. You’re gonna go and throw them away just like that? “ALL THOSE PEOPLE DID IS TO TAKE EVERYTHING FROM MY POPULARITY AND SUCCESS!!!” IU complained. “That’s why I don’t feel complete even at the peak of my life, because all they did is to steal from my hardwork and passion for my dreams! That’s how awful they are!” Until I met YN again, and he reminded me that he’s the only person around anybody that surrounds me who has been loyal to me. Then in a snap, I wanted more. I came to my senses that it was never enough if it wasn’t him. I don’t just need his company, I need his love.” “Unnie, what you’re doing won’t you make you earn it. Love isn’t something to demand.” Ningning aided her senior to change the deluded superstar’s manipulated mind. “And most importantly, you can’t go terrorizing his life just to be with you.”

“We can’t force anybody to love us back.” Nayeon stated in melancholy. “Please, unnie. You’re my idol, I hate to see you turn into this.” Her worries disappeared when they all saw IU broke out of laughter. “Is that so? Forgive me not, Nayeon-ah… but if I can’t have him, I’ll just make sure NOBODY ELSE WILL!”

“NO!!!” She was about to stab you but the police reacted quickly, they shot IU in the shoulder, preventing your death and a murder case to settle. She lunged back and fell on the floor as the police hurried to arrest the wounded woman while the girls helped you out of the chair. You cried in their embrace as they comforted you. “You’re safe now, YN.” Jihyo whispered to your ears as she laid your head to her shoulder to absorb your pain selflessly. IU was taken to a psychiatric mental hospital in Seoul while you are under therapy due to depression from everything that transpired in the past months. As one last proper goodbye before parting ways for good, TWICE brought you food for your recovery. Aespa also personally apologized for how they treated you and concluded with a confession that they fell in love with you too but called it done as they wanted to pave the way for others they believed to be more suitable for him. In return, friendship has been restored by a closure with them that went smoothly because of how open-minded they are as you admitted what you've been planning to them secretly. You noticed a letter inserted on a basket of fruits in your last day of stay on your room. Reading the letter, a particular paragraph caught your eyes that made you tearful and heart throbbing in longing for their long-awaited affection. Finishing your treatment with the doctors handpicked by the girls with the help of the company’s connection, you left the hospital in great condition. A van stopped and its doors opened, Jihyo exits along the rest of the TWICE members. You can’t help but to cry again seeing them, which can be said the same for how they feel for you too. They came to approach and envelope you to a group hug, emotions going lively inside. “I’m sorry for everything, girls. I really do.” You apologized for the nth time and you will never stop reminding them how you willingly make yourself accountable. “I never stopped loving you all.” you finally said the words you’ve wanted to tell them. “We know, even if we try to forget you we just… couldn’t.” Jihyo replied. “Because our hearts prefer nothing but you. It’s hard to let go when we couldn’t lie to ourselves that we still love you. ”

Entering the van and away from the sight of the public, all TWICE members kissed you and included you in a group cuddle as they ride back home for a new beginning of their relationship. == END ==

[oikarma]

casual | part two

pairing: oscar piastri x reader, lando norris x reader

summary: one emotionally constipated girl, one best friend, and one lando.

a/n: so i mixed up imola and monaco's order so imola doesn't exist spanish GP is next!! also like yn has issues wtf

previous / next

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liked by f1gossipofficial and others

yourinstagram spiritually judging everyone from afar

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lando 🤨

tatemcrae emotionally spectating monaco in ur crocs

yourinstagram hey don't out me like that tatemcrae why didn't the lightning mcqueen crocs make the post yourinstagram red wasn't the color scheme btw

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lando added to their stories

replies

user1 did you get laid

user2 so mafia core

maxfewtrell Are you okay, mate?

lando just peachy maxfewtrell What's all this about sins? lando nothing much

user3 THE SONG CHOICE????

user4 wtf

yourinstagram some sins didn't stay in me

lando you're funny yourinstagram always a pleasure

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liked by mclaren and others

oscarpiastri P2 is a podium. That'll do, thanks team!

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yourinstagram k so i already smiled politely now i need to find the best pictures

oscarpiastri What an honor. user1 is she going to post him? awww

user2 PAPAYA ON TOP

user3 🧡

user4 he's so pretty i could cry

lando cute trophy

oscarpiastri Thanks mate.

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liked by tatemcrae and others

yourinstagram vague caption

tagged: oscarpiastri

user1 bro why is it so adorable

user2 @/yourinstagram make me one pls

oscarpiastri Wasn't aware I was orange.

yourinstagram ru still complaining i made a cookie person for you and you're COMPLAINING? oscarpiastri I'm messing with you. Very cute. user3 "very cute" as in "very cute cookie" or as in "very cute y/n" user4 r they in love

user5 is this a soft launch??

user6 can't blame a girl for trying

mclaren appearance!

yourinstagram couldn't forget my fave team <3

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liked by tatemcrae and others

mclaren All smiles for OP81 ahead of Imola.

tagged: oscarpiastri

user1 admin just say it you ship y/n and oscar liked by mclaren

user2 i do not believe they're not dating the way he LIT UP when he saw her and he had to like sit down because he didn't believe she was there

user3 and she's literally at every other race but it still means so much to him?? god?? i just want a man to love me like that??

user4 lmao lando scowling he's just jealous y/n took his man

user5 hear me out its the other way around user6 no wayyy he wouldn't go after oscar's girl user7 besides they barely interact with each other

user8 tate liking a mclaren post?

user9 well her bff is about to become a wag soooo user10 calling it rn

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[grimmsbride]

Omg Ive been stalking ur account for my daily Daisuke intake and I have yet to see more sub!Daisuke. I NEED THIS MAN whimpering, yowling, growling, howling, grunting, yelling EVERYTHING💔 so pretty pls could I perchance get a crumb of giving Daisuke a handjob from behind with dominate reader🙏 -🦌

DIZZY [ daisuke x reader ]

after gentle coaxing, daisuke agrees to masturbate infront of you. unfortunately for him, he agreed to more he could bargain for

tags / sub!daisuke | ooc daisuke | overstimulation | watching him masturbate | dom!reader | whimpers | minor use of pet names & nicknames | daisuke is ooc, i repeat | minor throat & face fucking | not beta read |

notes / uhm so my beloved 🦌 anon i struggled way more with this then i should have & it came out so half assed i’m sorry (i also kind of combined your two asks). i gotta practice with sub daisuke like way more.. but anyway i hope you do try to enjoy & as always please excuse typos or grammar mistakes as this is not beta read

“Babe… this is embarrassing.”

“How so? It’s only us, Su..”

Your lover could only grumble softly in response, eyes flicking from his lap and over to you. You sat upon the edge of his bed comfortably, dressed in something of his with your thighs exposed to the cold. Your pretty lips held a small smile, leaning onto your hand with your head resting onto your shoulder. Despite his eyes being on you, yours weren’t on him— well.. not the part he wanted anyway.

The man followed your gaze back to his waist, a flush of hot embarrassment spreading throughout his body upon noticing his own hand wrapped his dripping length. How was Daisuke in this predicament? Well, through your sweet words and gentle coaxing.

You made it know you wished to see how he “took care of himself” when you weren’t available. At first the man thought you were joking, but was rather surprised when you settled onto his bed; allowing him to take the stage.

And here he was— all in his glory, under the watchful eyes of his beloved girlfriend.

You pressed your other hand to the bed as you crept closer, “Don’t be shy Daisuke.. Just pretend I’m not here.”

How could he? Especially when he’s literally always thinking about you when in this position.

Daisuke sucked in a breath, hand carefully smoothing up and down his dick— thumb spreading along the tip, making a small mess with his precum. His eyes were fluttering closed, trying desperately to keep his breathing level. He would hate to be too loud, causing the others to hear.

Slowly, the drags of his hand got a little more calculated, fast; the man unknowingly thrusting up into his hand each time his palm pressed against his sensitive tip. His teeth were grinding into his bottom lip, soft groans muffled— much to your annoyance.

Daisuke heard shuffling on his bed, eyes slowly peeking open; jumping upon noticing you were no longer in-front of him. No, suddenly your warm body was pressed against his back, chin resting onto his shoulder whilst your arms wrapped around his waist.

“[Name]…?”

“I wanna hear you, Daisuke. I told you don’t be so shy.”

His breath was shaky, deciding to nod instead of speak; fearful of stuttering. Going back to the task at hand, he repeated his pumps, twitching each time his palm find his tip. With you no longer in-front of Daisuke could relax slightly, but not much; given the sweet encouragements you released went directly into his ear.

He trembled, gasping as the softest whine fell from his throat, fucking his hand at a quicker pace.

Suddenly your hand was brushing his own, Daisuke’s eyes snapping open once more. He watched as you gently pushed his hand away, replacing it with your own. The breath he took was sharp, mouth agape as your soft palm wrapped around his length. Slowly, you pumped him, grip firm but not painful— dragging your hand up and down expertly on account of your previous watching.

“Like this, Su?”

Daisuke nodded far too quickly, hands struggling to relax on his thighs, gripping his pants which were messily pushed down far enough. He leaned back into you, gaze growing hazy as the pleasure ran through his body.

“Mm.. fuck, ye—yeah like that..” The man groaned, breath hitching into a pitch the moment you paid extra attention to his tip. Your thumb was circling the weeping slit, two fingers enclosing it gently and jerking him. His stomach was clenching at this point, gasping out— moans hinging on whimpers the longer you went.

You watched over his shoulder, that same pretty smile stuck to your features. You couldn’t deny this little fantasy of yours that seemed to develop the moment he whimpered into your ear during sex the first time. Since that day you’ve wondered.. when else does he whimper? Moan and cry, without restraint? Shame or embarrassment no factor, simply unadulterated, unhinged pleasure.

It seemed now was your answer. Your ears rendered to the beautiful melody of his hurried breaths and desperate cries. The way he struggled to keep his hips down, struggled to keep his hands off your wrist, and struggled to not be so loud— god, you felt your own arousal basically trickling down your thighs at this point.

You turned, planting kisses to the side of his face, giggling to yourself amidst the affection. “I should have done this sooner, huh?.. You’re enjoying it so much.” You murmured, back to fisting his entire length.

Daisuke didn’t even think to answer you, knowing the words would only come out as pathetic babbles. He’s beyond confused; he’s jerked off perfectly quiet before— sure, a few groans and grunts there, but aside from that he knew how to keep his voice down. But with you.. he simply couldn’t. With each movement of your hand, the pleasure was felt throughout his entire body, nerves exposed to your control. It frustrated him, how palpable he was in your hands— yet turned him on even more.

“[Name]…. [Name] ple—please..!”

Your eyebrows rose at his call of pleasure, trekking your lips to his neck and sucking gently at the skin. “You’re close.. twitching so much in my hand.” Your eyes dropped over his shoulder, soaking of the image of his messy length. Pre-cum glazed down his shaft on account of your hand, tip flushed red from its constant attention.

The man was practically shaking at this point, chest pumping with each shaky breath that escaped. At this point his head was going slack on your shoulder, face turning into you. There, you heard it all so clearly; those pretty whimpers and cries, how he struggled to say your name— it sounded like a jumbled mess of his tongue.

A mantra of swears escaped him next before Daisuke came undone, hips rising up into your hand; practically fucking it as his high ran through him. His nails dug into his thighs, eyes pinched closed and eyebrows furrowed. Moments passed before he even calmed down, feeling your hand continue its moving.

He allowed it as he caught his breath, eyes peeling open slowly; covered in a glossy gaze. However, when the man realized you weren’t stopping, he was quick to try to reach for your hand— groaning when you suddenly picked up pace.

“Ba—baby, ple…please,— ‘m too sensitive!”

Daisuke was begging at this point, a hand resting on your wrist yet not pushing you off. He couldn’t help his hips meeting your hand either, actions clearly outweighing his words.

You smiled all the same, rising your free hand to grasp the side of his face, turning him towards you to plant a kiss onto his lips. Continuing your pumps you shifted, slowly pulling yourself from behind him, lowering him onto the bed and hovering over him soon after.

Swiftly enough that Daisuke hadn’t even noticed until the two of you pulled apart, and he felt your lips trail down from his neck to his waist.

“But you’re a mess, Su.. I can help clean you up, right?” You glanced at him through those pretty eyelashes, words taunting yet enticing. Without his reply your lips were parting, tongue rolling from your mouth and licking a thick stripe up his shaft.

His head fell back into the pillow, hands landing to his sheets instead of you. Daisuke still hadn’t a clue when he became so weak to you, nor did he really have the time to delve into you; not with your plump lips wrapping around his tip, sucking gently— cleaning him up as you promised.

Your cheeks hollowed, taking more of him into your throat. Once reaching far enough your head was bobbing, wet sounds surrounding the room each time your lips made contact with the hilt. Daisuke’s vision was going white — or was his eyes rolling to the back of his skull? Either, all restraint was leaving his body.

With his fingers digging into the sheets, he couldn’t help but release the most pathetic sounds; desperate whines crawling from his throat each time he felt your tongue drag across a pulsing vein. The overstimulating pleasure began to burn, a sensation that hurt and felt way too good all at the same time.

“Fuck.. fuck.. fu—fuck..!” Racing pants escaped him, hips rising as he gently fucked your mouth. Even in the midst of his own pleasure, Daisuke refused to hurt you. Though, he wouldn’t have to worry much longer, given that verge was approaching just as quickly as before.

Daisuke wished to warn you, deciding it would be truly rude to come without warning. But as he pushed for words, they came out jumbled and messy— an intelligible sentence that caused heat to rush throughout his entire body.

Luckily, you seemed to be more in tune with his body than he was, eyes flicking to his features and smirking. You loved it all. His eyes clouded and squinted, a red crossing his tanned features, the way he alternated between biting his lip and letting his voice fly; you should have done this sooner.

Pulling up, you paid extra attention to his tip, sucking harshly and moaning the moment he filled your mouth. He came out messily, collecting on your tongue— some spilling out and trickling down his dick to his uncovered thighs.

Much to Daisuke’s happiness you were letting up this time, pulling away and swallowing the mess he left. With time to finally breathe the man’s vision went back to normal, gaze landing upon you as his heavy pants slowed.

“I think.. you almost killed me.” He huffed out, watching as you crawled over his body, hands rising to glide across your arms.

You smiled, leaning to press a wet kiss to his cheek.

“Next time.. I’m aiming for three.”

[wheneverfeasible]

Post Secret

wc: 4k || rating: M || tags: implied sexual content, referenced homophobia, vers bottom Steve, vers top Eddie, bisexual Steve, bisexual Eddie, angst with a happy ending || summary: Steve deals with some insecurities the morning after he reveals himself as Eddie’s secret admirer || ao3

Started writing this during the trend of secret admirer fics being everywhere when I was curious how things might look with a different sort of morning after.

👑 💌 🎸

As awareness slowly returned to Steve, so too did the memories of the previous night. The twinge in his backside certainly helped prove that it hasn’t all been the most amazing of dreams brought on by his months of pining over what he had once thought was unattainable.

He could still feel Eddie’s hands on him, his warm breath ghosting over Steve’s ear as he whispered exactly what he was going to do to Steve, and then the shape of him as he did exactly what he promised. The stretch and burn and, yes, little bit of pain as Steve was opened up and taken in a way he hadn’t been expecting that night.

Maybe he should have, all things considered.

The last letters had gotten pretty…risqué.

Not that he was complaining, no siree Bob. He had thoroughly enjoyed everything Eddie had written to him, even back when Eddie had first thought he was a girl. Which had…been something else, truthfully. Steve had never been so grateful for his experience with girls than he had been trying to pretend to be one.

He hadn’t really expected to get to any of this when he’d first started writing those secret admirer letters to Eddie. The first one had caused Eddie to look apprehensive, however, like it was some joke he was waiting to be the punchline for…maybe literally, and Steve couldn’t help but write him another one to assure him that it was genuinely meant.

It was when he went to drop off the third one that he found something already wedged in the grill at Eddie’s locker, waiting for him. He’d swiftly taken it when he saw that it was a response to him, and from there their secret correspondence continued, though the letters weren’t always exchanged through Eddie’s locker.

It was honestly sort of fun finding new places to exchange their secret notes, and slowly the two of them grew closer together. Even though Eddie assumed it was a girl at first. Which…had fucking sucked, though it should have been obvious to Steve.

Which led to Steve pretending to be a girl until more recently, when he finally admitted that the reason he believed Eddie could never actually return his affections had been because, besides being exactly the sort of person Eddie always railed against, he was also a boy.

Steve had felt so fucking nauseous writing that out. Had felt even more nauseous dropping it off. He knew he was risking a lot more than just a broken heart if Eddie ever found out who his secret admirer was. Steve knew that he could be beaten, chased out of town, or even killed if Eddie took offense to a queer liking him.

It had taken longer than normal for a reply to be given, and Steve was expecting the worst. He just couldn’t lie to Eddie, not anymore, not about this. Not giving his identity was different than giving a false one, and he felt skeevy writing anything sexual when the guy wasn’t consenting to doing that with another guy.

So yeah, he expected so much hatred and disgust in the reply when it finally came.

Except there hadn’t been any.

Instead, Eddie’s letter was full of comfort and care, as well as an apology for making the assumption in the first place, for making his secret admirer feel like he had to pretend to be someone else out of fear or self-hatred.

And then Eddie had said that he hadn’t ever been with a man before, but that he was eager at the thought that his secret admirer would be his first one. And maybe even his only.

Steve had replied that he had also never been with another guy before, and then their next letters were full of their explorations with the idea, with the things they would do together, with how much it didn’t change things that Eddie’s secret admirer was a boy instead of a girl.

Things got…a lot more heated after that.

And then Eddie had told him where to pick up his next letter, and with it had been a pair of Eddie’s boxers. Steve wore them, as instructed in the letter, as he pleasured himself to Eddie’s words about what he was going to do to him. And then, face blooming red, he’d returned them in a baggy with his own letter to Eddie detailing how he had touched himself.

And so things progressed until it was time for graduation. Or at least, Steve’s graduation. It was discovered that Eddie would have to repeat senior year again on some technicality that Higgins cooked up. And Steve…

They had spoken about so much, had revealed more about themselves than anyone else knew, even close friends. Steve had revealed how shitty his parents were, how much they seemed to care about everything else except their son, while Eddie talked about his dad and how he’d string Eddie along before ultimately abandoning him for good when Eddie proved no longer useful and everything that had led to Eddie dropping out his first senior year.

They talked about the kids that Steve had begun babysitting, for lack of a better word, and about Eddie’s uncle who Eddie probably took for granted more than he should. About Steve’s concussions and loneliness, and how Eddie had gotten into selling drugs in the first place because his father introduced him to Reefer Rick and Eddie needed to help Wayne pay bills.

They talked about fears and dreams and plans to escape this shitty town, though Steve wasn’t able to say why he felt like he couldn’t leave Hawkins yet, why he’d wake up from nightmares that had nothing to do with Billy’s fists but everything to do with Max’s terrified eyes. With Mike’s and Will’s and Lucas’s and Dustin’s and even Eleven’s.

Eddie wanted to meet. Was adamant that he wouldn’t hate whoever his secret admirer was, not when he knew who his admirer was at his core. And Steve…

Steve wanted to believe that. He wanted to believe that with every fiber of his being because he’d come to the realization that somewhere between his fifth and fiftieth letter, he’d fallen in love with Eddie Munson. He could only hope that Eddie would see him, truly see him, and see something other than bullshit.

Steve agreed to meet with Eddie and…well.

Though he hadn’t necessarily been expecting to go all the way with Eddie that first night, it was like a gravitational pull existed between them. Eddie had been shocked to say the least, but he had shyly admitted to Steve that a part of him had not only suspected it might be him, but that he had hoped that it was him.

They talked for a while, clarified feelings and that Steve’s identity didn’t change anything, and then suddenly they were kissing.

And then suddenly they were doing a lot more than kissing.

They’d fallen asleep, spent and sated, in Steve’s bed with the promise of speaking more in the morning.

With the morning light streaming warm and golden through his windows, a contented smile curled at Steve’s lips as he slowly woke. He had rolled away in the middle of the night like he always does, spread along the edge of the bed like usual, though now with an arm dangling off in a subconscious move to be closer to the bat under his bed.

With a small and sleepy hum, Steve shifted slightly to turn his head towards Eddie and reached a hand out to settle on his chest…

And met an empty bed instead.

Steve’s brows puckered in a small confused frown, opening his eyes as he lifted his head to see the spot Eddie had been in the night before, only to see it very much missing the metalhead he had been crazy about for months now. The metalhead he had bared his soul to in letters ever since Nancy breaking up with him let him realize some truths about himself.

The metalhead he had trusted and let past his defenses and into his bed.

The ache in his core stopped feeling so pleasant.

Steve’s eyes darted around the room, trying to convince himself that maybe Eddie was just in the bathroom. That he hadn’t just left after getting what he wanted.

But the sheets beside him were cold, and Eddie’s clothes weren’t strewn over the floor anymore.

A pit began growing in Steve’s stomach. Everything that Steve had feared before last night came rushing, churning, back. He felt stricken, Eddie’s absence like a siren of warning.

He’d shown Eddie where he kept all of his letters. They had even gone over them the night before. There should have been at least a few strewn about. Except there wasn’t. Them and the box weren’t where he’d left them the previous night.

Eddie had taken his incriminating letters. Eddie had Ieft. Eddie had…

A sharp pain lanced through Steve as he sat up fully, and he couldn’t tell if it was physical or just his heart rending in two for the second time in less than eight month’s time.

Christ.

He really did fall fast and hard, didn’t he?

He only had himself to blame, really. He really did just bring this upon himself. He could have just accepted he was crushing on Eddie without writing him that first note, without opening his heart to the possibility (no, the guarantee of pain), without letting himself hope.

He was Steve Harrington. Billy might have taken the title of keg king, might have taken Tommy and others, but Steve was still considered desirable. He still had girls trying to fill the gap that Nancy left behind, still fluttered their eyelashes, still wanted to be on his arm at prom.

He was still It at school. Still popular, still rich, still a jock. Still privileged. He was still everything that Eddie had ever spoken out against. Everything Eddie always condemned. Everything Eddie hated.

The cold sheets, the empty room, the complete and utter lack of everything Eddie reassured him about were simply too obvious to ignore. Eddie was gone.

Steve knew he should be feeling dread. Eddie took all evidence of his own reciprocity, took away the thing that could condemn him as well. Maybe that had been his goal all along. And fucking over Steve—literally and figuratively—had just been an added bonus.

Eddie could tell everyone. Could reveal Steve as being a queer, could have him run out of town, if not worse. Or maybe he’d just tell his friends so they could have a laugh about how easily Former King Steve had spread his legs for another guy. For a freak at that. For the Freak.

Maybe he’d just blackmail him.

There were so many possibilities that could occur after last night. Yet, all Steve could feel was that same feeling he’d had standing in Tina’s bathroom and realizing that he would never be good enough. He would never be what others wanted him to be.

Never be anything more than what he was.

Steve collapsed back against the bed, wincing some in the privacy of his own room at another sharp spike of physical discomfort.

Honestly, it could have been worse, though. Eddie obviously hadn’t been lying when he’d said he’d never been with another dude before, and Steve had never had a chick be adventurous enough with him, so they kind of had to fumble into figuring things out. Even still, Eddie had been careful and slow. He could have rushed things, could have ignored Steve’s needs, but he didn’t.

Steve wondered if his notes were going to be plastered across the school on Monday. Just in time for graduation. Wondered if it would make Eddie feel better about not graduating this year either.

He couldn’t even fault Eddie, not really. Maybe if he had stood up to Tommy and Carol earlier, if he hadn’t been so complacent in life until he met Nancy and felt something other than the unending boredom he’d been plagued with all his life. Maybe if he had proven how much he had changed in something other than flimsy pieces of paper.

Flinging his arm over his eyes with a heavy sigh, Steve was just in the process of pushing every hurt feeling down, of knowing he had to come up with some sort of excuse for his exposed letters that didn’t put a target on Eddie’s back, when he heard a quiet thumping and rattling of chains.

“…fucking wallet, man,” Eddie was whispering to himself as he pushed the door open, obviously trying to be quiet and not wake up Steve. “So fucking stupid, how are you supposed to sneak out but leave your walle—you’re awake.”

Steve, who had removed the arm over his eyes to prop himself up on his elbows at Eddie’s entrance, could only watch as the older boy had dropped to his knees to try to find, presumably, his wallet. Eddie’s muttering, which had been quiet at first, rose to normal speaking volume in his surprise at meeting Steve’s eyes.

Eddie looked…embarrassed, a slight grimace spreading across his lips as he stood up, wallet successfully retrieved from beneath the bed where it must have been tossed after Eddie’s search for a rubber.

“You’re not supposed to be awake yet,” Eddie complained, a small, uncomfortable whine to his words.

Right.

The dude couldn’t very well sneak out if Steve was watching.

He tried to keep his face from crumpling, tried to keep the hurt off of his expression and out of his tone, and he was thankful that he wasn’t much of a crier. Because he rather felt like bursting into tears at the moment, if he was being quite honest with himself, his heart feeling like it was being ripped into two.

“Sorry,” he mumbled, tearing his eyes away from Eddie before he could see the other boy’s reaction. “I’ll just…we can pretend I’m still sleeping.” He offered a shaky smile before dropping back to the bed, rolling to his side and wrapping an arm under his pillow in a facsimile of sleep. He squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for the retreating of footsteps.

Instead, after several moments of silence, they moved closer.

Instead, he felt the weight of a body sitting on the mattress at his hip, felt a warm hand settle almost tentatively on his lower back.

“Yeah? Gonna keep pretending to be my Sleeping Beauty, Harrington?” Eddie’s voice teased, and it should have been mocking, should have held all the animosity Eddie had to feel towards Steve but…it wasn’t. It didn’t. Instead, it was almost gentle, playful, maybe even…affectionate?

Despite himself, Steve frowned slightly and peeked his eyes open to look at Eddie, who instead of a sneer, had a smile on his lips. He barely had time to comprehend that when Eddie was leaning in and pressing those smiling lips lightly to his cheek in a brief kiss.

“Guess I just gotta keep kissing you until you wake up,” Eddie murmured, smile still in his voice, as he kissed Steve again, this time on his jaw. A finger hooked under Steve’s chin to tilt his head, allowing him to press the next kiss to his lips.

A shudder rippled through Steve at that moment, a small gasp leaving him, which the metalhead took advantage of. His tongue slipped inside Steve’s mouth, causing a soft moan to leave Steve as Eddie leaned in closer, kissing him deeper as Steve instinctively rolled onto his back, the taste of spearmint still coating Eddie’s tongue—

“Did you use my toothpaste?” Steve gasped for air, pushing Eddie away with both hands on his chest at the sudden realization. As well as the fact that his mouth had to taste sour with sleep in comparison.

Eddie pulled back with a slightly bashful look. “Well, and your toothbrush too.”

“Oh, gross, man! Haven’t you heard of germs?”

“Considering last night I had my tongue in your a—”

Steve hurriedly cut the metalhead off by placing both hands over his mouth, a pink tinge coating his cheeks at where Eddie was going with that. Eddie’s eyes just crinkled over Steve’s hands as he looked down at him, his smile evident against Steve’s palms. Only reluctantly did Steve let Eddie pull his hands away by the wrists, his own sliding over Steve’s until their fingers were tangled together.

“I’ll buy you a new one, princess, don’t worry.”

The words should have been mean. Should have been mocking. But “princess” had been what Eddie had called him in the letters when he still thought he was a girl. Had been what he’d called Steve last night so affectionately as he’d slid inside with whispers of reassurance.

Steve’s eyes burned. He swallowed, full of nervousness and confusion, of mitigated hurt, as he stared up at Eddie’s open expression. His fingers tightened on Eddie’s without thought. He didn’t want to say the words, but they were clogging his throat and he felt like he’d choke on them if he didn’t get them out.

“I thought you left,” he whispered, even as he cringed slightly at the flicker of emotion he couldn’t catch fast enough on Eddie’s face. Eddie’s earlier words burned in his chest. “You were trying to sneak out.”

Understanding bloomed on Eddie’s face, his muscles tensing for a moment, causing a spike of unease to puncture Steve’s chest. Because this? They’d talked about this. About how Nancy had left him after their first time, how he’d woken to a cold bed, how she’d begun pulling away from him after and how she never truly loved him.

Sure, she had a reason to pull away, and a part of him still thinks a part of her still blames him for Barb, but it wasn’t like he could tell Eddie any of that. It didn’t change the fact that Nancy had been pulling away from him and towards Jonathan since the start, however. Didn’t change the fact that Steve felt just the tiniest bit used in the way he’s always been used.

Was he just being used by Eddie too?

“Shit,” Eddie muttered under his breath to himself, which didn’t make Steve feel any better. Was he upset he’d gotten caught? Should Steve beg for him not to expose him through his letters? Should Steve just accept the inevitable like he always did?

Eddie released one of Steve’s hands to reach out and brush Steve’s hair off his forehead. A gentle smile settled on his features, even if he did look mildly embarrassed. “Yeah, you weren’t supposed to hear that, sweetness,” he murmured, his fingers still carding through Steve’s hair keeping the younger boy from spiraling too greatly at those words. “It was supposed to be a surprise. I wanted to be back before you woke up.”

Steve’s brows puckered slightly in confusion, though he smoothed them again when Eddie’s fingers lightly stroked over the ridges. “Be back?” he questioned, barely able to get the words out.

Still looking somewhat embarrassed, Eddie gave a small shrug with a crooked grin. “I was gonna go get you some breakfast,” he admitted. “I’m a terrible cook, so I was gonna buy something and bring it back to you for breakfast in bed.”

Breakfast in bed? For him?

Steve’s eyes widened slightly, staring up at Eddie as though he couldn’t believe what he was seeing, hearing, feeling. Eddie was staring at him so sweetly, his touch so gentle, like Steve was something precious to be cherished. Like he meant everything he wrote in those letters, everything he said last night. Everything he promised.

There were so many things he wanted to say in response to all that. He felt like he was a rollercoaster, every other word sending him into what felt like a free fall, praying that the harness that was Eddie Munson would keep him safe.

He’d woken up so sure of things, but just that brief moment of fingertips touching cool sheets had reawakened all the fears and insecurities he’d felt since Tina’s bathroom. No, since before that. Since waking up that first morning without Nancy, the first girl he ever had real feelings for and realizing that he was once more just a means to an end.

Steve pulled his other hand free from Eddie’s hold so that he could push himself up into a seated position, withholding a wince from the pain in his nether region now that he had an audience as he did so, wanting to be on a little more even footing. He stared at Eddie, looking for any sort of deceit, but the other boy just stared at him with mild worry, his dark eyes darting over Steve’s form.

Which reminded Steve that he was very much in the nude still.

Flushing slightly, though normally uncaring about nudity thanks to years in sports and locker rooms, Steve gathered the top sheet more firmly over his lap. Judging by Eddie’s slight smirk at the action, his reaction had to have been noticeable, causing Steve to scowl at Eddie. The older boy just grinned unrepentant.

“You look good first thing in the morning, princess. Can’t wait to see it more often,” Eddie purred in that voice he used last night as he thoroughly took Steve apart in the best way possible, even with all their fumbling as they tried to figure out how things worked with two dicks involved instead of what they were both more familiar with.

Steve, understandably, flushed more deeply.

“Yeah, Munson?” he murmured, trying not to let the flutter of hope cut up his insides even as a small smile peeked out on his lips. “You planning on seeing it again then?”

Eddie leaned forward, ducking his head slightly to look up at Steve through his bangs. “I’d see it every morning if I could, pretty boy.” A flicker of emotion, a guarded expression there and gone again, like maybe Steve wasn’t the only one unsure in this moment. “If you let me.”

If you let me.

Steve pushed his own insecurities down to really look at Eddie this morning. His eyes trailed over his pale skin, reddened at his neck in an unmistakable display of passion last night, the taste of Eddie’s skin still like a phantom on his tongue…

Eddie’s eyes were flickering back and forth between his, the corner of his bottom lip was drawn in between his teeth, and his fingers were flickering restlessly around the rings he had taken off last night before pressing those bare fingers into Steve. Eddie was sitting, tense on the edge of the bed, all while trying to play at being aloof.

Eddie was nervous too.

If you let me.

Eddie was nervous too.

Warmth bloomed in Steve’s chest because Eddie was plagued with insecurity, just like him. Eddie, who must fear that now that Steve has sated his curiosity, wouldn’t be interested in him anymore. Eddie who had never been with a boy before last night either. Eddie who had bared his everything to the person in the letters only for it to be none other than Steve Harrington.

Eddie who was so much more than Steve could have ever dared to hope for.

“Well,” Steve said on a breath. “That depends.”

“On what?” Eddie asked, one hand raising to nervously tug at his own hair.

“On if you’re okay with breakfast being a little late today.”

Eddie’s frown of confusion was quickly replaced by a laugh of joy as Steve reached out and pulled him closer, swallowing the laughter with his own smile as they reassured each other that this had never been a one-off thing, had never been a temporary joining out of curiosity or deceit.

Eddie’s clothes were slowly shed with reverence, and though Steve’s body was not yet ready to reciprocate all that Eddie had given him last night, Steve still showed Eddie all the love he had for him, basking in its return and the knowledge that, at least between them, it never had to be a secret again.

👑 💌 🎸

ps. Eddie gathered the letters up to keep them safe, also because he wanted to look over everything he’d said again to make certain he didn’t embarrass himself in them. Instead he just remembers all the naughty things he said he’d do to Steve and was unable to look at the handcuffs on his wall without blushing for an entire week.

Hostage Hotties (open):

@derythcorvinus @katyawriteswhump @scoops-aboy86 @dotdot-weirdlife @everywherenothere

@bumblebeecuttlefishes @hiei-harringtonmunson @estrellami-1 @nebulaoz @renfrisol

@tinyplanet95 @hairspraywhore

[sapphicautumn]

Afterthought. EW.

synopsis: Ellie and you go on your regular scheduled patrol, but when danger is found, it leaves you both in shambles - realising you could lose each other at any time.

Pairing: Bestfriend!ellie x Fem reader. WLW

Contents: fluff, friends2lovers? Smut. Emotional constipation. Swearing, and whatever else lmk if I forgor 💀

A/N: hey! This is actually my first ever time writing on tumblr, I’m usually a silent reader of the tags, so this is a bit nerve wracking for me lol. There’s not a lot of Bella Ramsey Ellie fics on here- so I hope you like it. I am writing on my phone as I’m currently on the train ride home- ignore any typos, that’s on my tired ass. If you enjoy, please reblog and thank you for reading 🥨

Men and minors DNI

“You don’t need to collect every flower you see, you know that? Right?”

Ellie’s voice teased, guiding shimmer as she rode the brown horse around you, eyes gazing down as she tried to bite a smile back.

“Let me be” your voice hummed, picking up dandelions from the ground. You kept a book back at home in Jackson with stamped flowers you find on patrol. It always provided some form of comfort? That although there’s so much evil in this current situation of the world, beauty still grows.

Ellie didn’t get it. She didn’t get a lot of things, but that’s why you love her.

“Cmonnn get back on the damn horse, patrol will last forever the longer you drag it out” Her voice rang, pulling the lead of the horse to a halt. She always spoke in what others would call a sarcastic tone, but it was what you knew her to always sound like. It’s just Ellie, she’s not intimidating to you. Quite the contrary.

You both met 3 years ago now, when you had joined Jackson with just your mom in search of a safe haven. Being close in age, you found yourself hanging with Dina first, who eventually introduced you to her own group of friends; Jesse & Ellie.

You all would hang out every night basically, spending time at each others houses, or at the tipsy bison, or even sometimes hiding behind jesses house while he attempted to roll joints that never quite came out the way you guys wanted.

“You should be kicked out of the town for that” dina would say, gesturing to the pathetic roll that laid in front of her.

Somewhere along the way, Jesse and Dina found themselves getting closer. Them starting to date wasn’t a shock to Ellie and you. It was obvious how much they liked each other. Previous group activities turned into paired plans of just you and her, it provided you to grow quite close.

She was always gruff and protective of her own self. The walls she built were tall and made of thick brick. Although not thick enough apparently, as your soft exterior was able to chisel in, seeing a side of Ellie most of the town doesn’t take time to know.

If anyone were to ask, you’d say Ellie is your best friend, your patrol buddy, Curtis to your viper. The list goes on.

Ellie on the other hand, …..feels like a perverted creep, as there’s a side you could have never guessed possessed the girls mind….and journal.

“She’s too sweet…I don’t even think she’s into girls and I’m being so weird!!!!! I probably scare her omg, don’t realise I look at her too long until she says sumthing…She didn’t want to hang out tonight. I think her being “sick” was an excuse”

Her hand would cramp as she pressed the pencil harder to the paper, writing at her desk in the comfort of Joel’s garage.

“We were at the bar just yesterday. I walked behind her to get to my seat. Her hair smelled like vanilla. How does she do that?? Jesse and her talked about some stupid show idk the name. He looked at her like he wanted her. He has dina. I’m in no position to be jealous but LITERALLY fuck off j-“

Ellie’s eyes widened, the tip of her pencil snapping with the force of which she wrote. It’s time for bed anyways.

She never planned on telling you, in fact, she got used to the idea of dying a single lady, if it meant you also died one. Think among the lines of “if I can’t have you, no one will”. Yeah. That’s what she’s got going on.

So she bit her tongue anytime she saw you dress up cute for events, trying to be nonchalant whenever you’d bake her and Joel banana bread, or when she’d get home after a night at the bar, trying to smack out the imaginary of what you’d look like on her bed from within her brain. What the fuck is wrong with you? And why’re you so ….you? She almost wish you weren’t in Jackson so she wouldn’t have to worry about having a crush that felt so juvenile it made her itch to the core.

Lips. Are. Sealed.

The two of you rode shimmer down the designated path, the grass worn down from how many people have came down this exact way within the past few weeks.

“I think we should check out the abandoned house over there” your hand would gesture across before resuming to holding Ellie’s waist.

“I mean…we really don’t need to, you insist on all these side quests and-”

“Ellie I know damn well you got nothing better to do once we get back except for sleep. I wanna go check. Maybe there’s something cool in there?” You interrupt.

With a scoff, she parks the horse across the way, hopping off and absent mindlessly reaching up to help you slide off, her fingers gently holding your hand and hip. “There we go..”

You smile gently, adjusting your coat and clearing your voice. “Well. Let’s go”, your boots guide you to the old, broken down wooded house, the appearance of it so ghastly that it’s leaving Ellie wondering if it’ll collapse on you both.

“What do you think is in there?” She began, a little hint of snark in her tone as she protectively followed right behind you, hands wanting to keep you next to her, but she digressed to them on her holster.

“I dunno” you shrug, eyes looking back at the girl. “Some porn?”

“You’re a fucking idiot. I think Eugene’s old stash is plenty, that fucker had like 40 tapes in that cabinet and-”

“Wait shut the fuck up” you wave your hand at her, listening to some distant sound upstairs. You smirk.

“This is a bad idea” she whispers, “maybe we should just head back? Don’t go upstairs”

“Oh I’m going upstairs”

Your Ellie’s biggest migraine with legs. Of course- she follows you. The stairs creak, making her eyes scrunch with cringe, thinking about the possibility of a clicker being upstairs, hearing every footstep you both made. She tapped her flash light, illuminating the area as they reached the top.

You pulled out your pistol, holding it cautiously. Despite your soft exterior, you lived for this shit. Ellie would think you were the immune one with the fearlessness you displayed on patrols.

You scanned all the rooms, finding to be disappointed. “Ellie?”

She left the bathroom, the cabinet was raided, there’s nothing even here worth the trip. “This place is empty”

You huff, looking around. “But i heard something, I swear. It sounded like footsteps”

Once Ellie walked into, what you both assumed used to be a bedroom, she met back up with you. “Maybe it was wind? The windows broken, and the wood is old”

With a sigh, you examine the space, lowering the gun. Your eyes dart to the beside table, opening it. There’s some old photographs inside. “Els, cmere”

She knelt on the creaky floor, her flashlight shining on the Polaroids you pulled out. Ellie couldn’t help but smile at them, as such few photos showcased a story to the house they sat in.

“A family lived here” you whispered, seeing a man and woman, smiling as they bundled together for the picture. A few shuffles and you come across another of a newborn baby laying on the same fabric of the bed your back presses against. “Aw…”

Ellie’s lips curled, “I wonder what happened to them” she whispered

“Me too….” You flipped the back to see the date. 2012. These people could be in Jackson? Or somewhere far away…or maybe you’ve already encountered their infected forms on prior patrols. It always is a sickening reminder that the brainless threats you kill daily used to be people with stories. Someone’s baby.

Ellie noticed the tone change, her hand brushing out to comfort you. “I’m sure they are ok, don’t dwell on it.” Her tatted arm rubbed your back, making you shiver a bit.

“Maybe.”

She took the photos and put them back in the drawer, shutting it. “Let’s just go, Tommy is gonna be mad we took another detour.” As she stood, she exhaled, “damn, my knees”

Your eyes glanced as she walked out, snickering quietly at how much of an old man this 19 year old was. “I told you to stop sitting on your legs, it is a bad habit”

With a roll of eyes, ellie waves you off, the two of you making the way back down the stairs you came up earlier. “Sorry you didn’t get your porn. If it helps I’m sure Jesse has something he’d be willing to give up”

You smile knowingly, “you always act like I hang out with him. He’s with Dina, dumbass”

“You two aren’t close? You seem it” she mumbled, almost annoyingly. Her pistol sliding back into the leg holster.

You watched her back, thinking. “You think I like him or something?”

“Did I say that?” Her hands held up in defence.

“I feel like your kinda hinting at that, els. I wouldn’t do that to Dina. Besides, Jesse is farrrrr from…my type”

She raised a brow, mumbling “your type?” Her body turned to face you, but there you were already wandering into another part of the room. Your like a dog that needs to be guided where to go on it’s walk. “Can you just come back here, damnit”

“Look!” you held up the yarn, smiling. You had a little hobby of knitting blankets…hats…scarfs. You’d even make stuff for the damn horses at the stables. Finding yarn was equivalent to ellie finding weed. Very exciting.

Ellie sighed, “ok great, that’s great, good. Now let’s-”

“There’s some more over here” your feet led you behind the wall, into the shared room. You opened up the storage closet, coming face to face with something you’ve never seen before. Before you could pull your gun back out, the infected pushes you across the room to the floor, jumping on you. Your arms tried to push and shield, “ELLIE!!!”

The girl jumped at the noise, running around the corner to see what she thought was a clicker on top of you. “What the fuck!!!!??” She panted, quickly fumbling to grab anything, her knife is what she reached first.

Your screams intensified as the creature leaned down, your faces were close, you couldn’t identify the thing, you were too fucking focused on NOT getting bit.

Within seconds, Ellie’s knife is brought around to the throat, slicing it and tossing the lifeless body to the side, the room quiet except for your pants, your brush with possible death leaving you in a state of shock.

You’ve patrolled a lot, and never been this close.

Almost too nervous to ask, ellie kneeled and spoke, shakily, “fuck….you bit? You ok??” Her heartbeat was in her ears. This is why she wanted to leave, not even be here in the first place.

“Y-yea-yeah. I- sorry, I j-”

“Shh I got you” she folded the knife, frowning as her hands helped scoop you up to your feet. Legs almost buckling.

“I don’t know what that is” you whisper, looking down at the bleeding out infected now on the wood floor.

“Me neither,…I’ve never seen that.”

“It was like..h-hiding, infected d-dont hide”

She simply nods, too focused on your state of being. “Cmon…”

The two of you are led out back to the fresh air. Shimmer eating some of the grass before Ellie beckons the horse over. With the natural lighting she identifies how pale your face was, heart breaking, feeling like she didn’t protect you enough. Her eyes scan over again, reassuring herself you didn’t get bit or scratched.

Her arms helped hoist you upon the saddle of the animal, before scooping herself up in front of you. “Just hold on to me, I’m heading back”

The ride was quiet for the most part, your hands trembling as they secured yourself around Ellie’s hips.

“How we doing?” She mumbled, making it over the hill. Jackson’s walls were within eyes reach.

“I don’t feel good”

Ellie bit the inside of her cheek, focusing on the horses lead. “Yeah that was….that was scary huh?” She whispered, “I’m sorry, I’m glad you’re ok, physically”

Your head leaned against the back of your friends denim green jacket, still feeling a bit spooked. You lived a sheltered lifestyle within the town, mostly working in the stables. Patrol wasn’t weekly for you, ellie brought you along sometimes because of her own selfish reasons, to be close with you.

Now that stupid crush of hers almost got you killed. She almost lost you, the realisation hitting her as she checked inside the gates, helping you off the horse.

“Your back early, did you log the sheets?” Maria spoke, coming over.

“I- we had an incident” ellie spoke, helping adjust your belongings on your body without turning to see the woman. “We’re fine, but there’s definitely some…weird shit going on near the lake up north. Maybe send a group out tomorrow”

Maria was confused by the ominous wording, before even getting to question further, ellie was leading you away. The older woman sighed and looked at her husband, Tommy, handing him the lead of the horse so he could put shimmer in her pen and feed her.

Unlocking the door, she gently helped you inside her garage turned mini apartment a la ellie. Joel let her have her own space, it wasn’t huge, it wasn’t great, but it was Ellie’s, and it was comforting. You both have spent a lot of time in here before now, but for some reason as your boots guide you inside, it feels smaller.

The poor girl is more frightened than you are, patting out the bed, frantic about you. “Here, lay down. Do you want something to eat? Uh, fuck maybe I have some crackers and jam, let me check”

Gaining the courage to speak, you raise your hand, body laid on the bed. “Ellie, I’m fine. Just give me a second.”

She swallows a little hard, nodding. “Sorry.”

You slide the black boots off, tossing them to the floor as your knees are guided to your chest, thinking about what could’ve happened if you did get bit.

Ellie sits in her desk chair, watching you carefully. Eyes grazing along your fragile figure, selfishly so.

“Would you have shot me?”

She blinks “what?”

Taking a moment to look over at her, the garage dimly lit. “If I got bit, and turned into one of those ….things…” your voice shakes a little, “would you have shot me?”

Ellie’s a bit taken back, she takes her coat off and puts it on the hanger nearby, her hands rubbing her thighs in thought. “I…I dunno….I probably couldn’t…i-if im being honest”

“I don’t talk about it much, but it worries me, that one day I won’t be able to escape them” you admit, knees hugged gently as you rest your head against them. “If you weren’t there-….”

She walked over cautiously and sat in front of you, the cushion of the bed sinking with her weight. “But I was…yeah?”

The emotions come out, you felt dramatic. It’s easy to forgot how dangerous shit gets when you stay in your room and collect flowers. “Yea….thank you. For uh..saving me” a stupid stray tear falls down your cheek. You wipe it quickly, knowing you’ve never cried in front of Ellie before. She smiles softly, trying to reassure the pretty girl sitting in front of her.

“I’d never let you get hurt…I’ll always protect you”

You flutter your eyes shut. Something inside you stirring.

“Unfortunately you’re stuck with me” ellie added on, her finger reaching out to rub the side of her wrist, experimentally.

A quiet laugh escaped your mouth, watery eyes opening once more to meet Ellie’s gaze. “That’s not a bad thing…I mean, I quite literally can’t exist out there on my own. It’s kinda pathetic” you sniffled, looking down at Ellie’s comforter. The plaid sheets giving your eyes something to look at rather than her.

“Hey…it’s not pathetic. It’s not ..it’s not fair we have to live this way. Some people aren’t used to it, doesn’t make you weak for not being prepared”

The silky wave of her voice made something in your heart flutter, something about Ellie being gentle with you made you become absolute putty. It was rare she didn’t showcase her tough exterior. I suppose it’s safe to say the close call shot some fear into the both of you.

“I don’t wanna lose you.”

You watched her again, swallowing. “I’ll be more careful”

With a soft nod, she links her pinky with yours, her gaze down at the interlocked fingers. A soft smile appearing across her face. Truth? She’s scared shitless right now. Vulnerable is not her thing, but it feels fitting with you. Why? She’s fucked.

Sometimes it’s known that heightened emotions of fear can make people think about deeper evaluations of their life. The room was filled with thoughts, racing hearts and hormones.

Your eyes met your joint pinky finger, you brought up your hands slowly, pressing your lips to them.

Ellie watched. Carefully.

You made sure to look at her as you turned her hand, opening it as your lips pressed against the home of her palm. Ellie almost nutted.

“Ellie, I just-”

Before your whispers could become a finished sentence, ellie sprung forward and captured your bottom lip within hers, suckling gently, her calloused and roughed up hands cupping the soft contrast of your rose coloured cheeks.

Your hands immediately shot up to hold each of her wrists, pulling your head back softly with a pant. Your eyes met. There wasn’t awkwardness, and in fact, you didn’t question why your best friend kissed you. There was an unspoken understanding. An unspoken need, you could say. Ellie’s gentle pants met yours, pressing her forehead against you.

Her body heat gave off a wave of arousal within you, one you never knew even existed. Your hands gently lifted her chin, nodding as you watched her eyes….her nose…her lips.

You kissed again, and it was different than the first one. Hungry mouths clashed against one another as you both fought for control. Needing to be closer to each other…to feel you. To feel her.

She ever so gently shoved you back against her pillows. Oh how many times she’s felt dirty, imagining how you’d lay here with her hands rubbing over you, making you feel good. Her own prideful narcissism picturing how she would make you cum, assuming you’d become obsessed and drunken by her touch, and her touch alone.

The imagery compared to what’s real now, is nothing. It’s better, way better. Your hair was so fucking beautiful and sprawled against her pillow, chest rising with uneven breaths as Ellie moved, pressing her knee between your jean covered core. The way your eyelashes fluttered up at her with desire, mouth slightly ajar.

How would she ever move on from that?

Her chapped lips met your soft ones once more, hand gently rubbing along your jaw and neck as she moved to kiss below your ear. With quiet but desperate pants, your hand holding her nape. “Ellie…yes” your voice was airy and sweet, fuck, the sound alone could make Ellie willingly kneel and provide for you. She’d become a housewife and shit, if it meant she’d be able to hear the softness of the moans leaving your fucking lips every day.

She attacked your neck, a mix of kissing, licking and gentle bites. Her knee rutted into you, all you could do is allow it; hands gripping Ellie’s tshirt, as if she’d melt into you. It was hardly recognisable, the movements your body followed, chasing after Ellie’s graze, head tilting back into the pillow, eyebrows raised and eyes shut. “I need you to touch me”

She sat back, you could almost see some of the nervousness return to her gaze for a slight moment before she shook, nodding. “What do you want I’ll do anything ….” She sounds so fucking needy, you could basically feel your underwear sticking to you at this point. “Cmon baby tell me and I’ll do it”

The whispers kissed your ear, you frantically found words, spitting them out in what you thought sounded pathetic. “I- want you to-” you sat up, pausing as you unbuttoned your jeans, overwhelmed.

“Yeah?” She asked, wanting to make sure you wanted her touch. You frantically nodded, taking her hand and guiding it to your jean waistline. She exhales a shakily laugh, almost not believing the power she has right now. She sat up, fingers tugging the fabric down your hips.

The jeans were thrown off the side of the bed, mixing with Ellie’s laundry scattered across the floor. You were the one to take your underwear off, adding it to the pile.

Ellie almost had an aneurism. You were soaked, dripping down the inner part of your thigh- part of her mind wanted to take a mental image and begin drawing it into her horny journal to save it for later. Another part of her wanted to believe she’s the first to be lucky enough to taste it.

“Oh…fuck…” tough fingers ran their way from your hips …to your thighs, parting them more. She had so many things she wanted to say, to make you feel important and loved.

She would tell you later. Her lips met your pussy.

Arching your chest up on the bed, you couldn’t even bare to look down at the girl between your legs, you’re best friend. The moan you let out was of pleasure, but more importantly one of relief. “Aaah…Mmph” hips squirmed around, bucking your folds further against Ellie’s tongue.

To be fair, she’s never eaten a girl out before, but she’s too prideful to admit she learned how from those damn porn tapes Eugene hoarded. She would tell herself she’d probably do it better than a guy, after all, she had the same parts. She knows what feels good.

And yeah, she’s right to think that, with the way you desperately cling to the sheet below you, eyes stuck up on her ceiling. Tiny glow in the dark star stickers are up there, capturing your gaze.

Ellie worked you, moaning against your core, moving her head side to side to try something she saw before, hoping it felt as amazing as it looked. Your arousal tasted sweet, blessing her tongue like dessert and her nose like incense.

She even closed her eyes, focusing on making you cum, the goal to taste it right here on her bed making her dizzy. She rutted her own hips against the mattress, selfishly getting off on your reaction.

“Ellie…els…baby” your whimpers were shy, gathering strength to prop the pillow, sitting up and looking down. You clenched at the sight, she was so into it, sucking your soul out as if she’d never have the opportunity again after this night ended.

You lazily tilted your head to your shoulder, furrowed eyebrows and mouth open, you reached your hands out to ever so lightly brush the brown hair out of Ellie’s face. “That’s good, right…right there ok?”

Praise only made her tongue work harder, despite the tired muscle aching. She made the mistake of gazing up at you, capturing how fucked out you looked. “Mmmph” the vibration of Ellie’s moan against your pussy made you jolt, legs threatening to close against either side of her head. “No…keep them open” her face backed up from your core- chin glistening with your wetness.

Ellie doubled down, using her elbow to keep your thighs apart and out of her way, her focused expression directly on her two fingers, gathering slick as they enter your needy entrance.

“Ahhfuckohmygod” your hand clings to her shoulder as Ellie begins to finger you. She reached upward, knowing what felt good on her as she confidently aimed for a ridged patch amongst your warm walls.

You clenched tightly as she found it. A burning in your lower stomach as you’ve never felt before. “Shit-”

“Mmm…’s that it? Found it didn’t i?” She cockily mumbled, more so to herself. Her own pants becoming uncomfortable, she was so wet.

You bucked up, meeting her fingers thrusts each time. Ellie went deeper, you could see the beads of sweat developing on her hairline. She was determined to make you cum harder than you thought you could.

“Stop closing them baby…” she spit, frustrated as she tried to pay attention to the way your hole sucked her fingers in so needily. You’ve been needing this for a while. Poor thing.

“I’m gonna cum” you whisper, tears filling up the bottom of your vision, making her appearance blurry. You blissfully shut them, mouth agape as endless, nonsensical, words and please fled out.

If you were to look at yourself right now without the horny facade blocking your thinking, you’d probably be ashamed.

But right now? You’re loving it.

Ellie’s strong tattooed arm leans up and pressed on your lower stomach, adding pressure to the spot she reached inside. By the sound of your choked out gasp, she was unsure if she was hurting you. “Oh” she panicked and began to move away, your grasp grabbed her and kept her in place. “No, no no no keep going I’m gonna cum”

Oh. Oh.

With the reassurance, the brunette continues her ministrations, moving to kitty lick against your clit, the feeling of her all fucking over and in you was overwhelming. You cried, not out of sadness, out of desperation.

You gripped her for dear life, hands leaning a bright white mark against the skin of her forearm. “Ohhh I’m cumming”

You lifted your hips a bit, ellie pushed them down as she finished the job, feeling the warmth and movement of your body finishing. It was beautiful, she did that, and she was gonna be cocky about this until the day she died.

“Yesyesyes…yes….”

Ellie smirked against you at the needy tone of your voice, she felt you pulsate and tighten, her wrist soaked…the bed beneath you no longer sanitary to sleep on. She looked up again to see your overwhelmed and exhausted face, she panted, removing her fingers as she pressed her forehead against your thigh, holding onto you as she came.

She came from WATCHING YOU cum. Ellie Williams, everybody.

You would’ve poked fun if you didn’t find it so hot. She rode her hips out against the bed, softly whispering something you couldn’t make out.

Letting the moment sit for a while, your hand gently rubbed her arm, beckoning her to come up to you, she obliged and carefully sat over you, rubbing the skin under your white shirt. “Are you ok…?” There’s your ellie.

With a nod, “I’m ok…I’m good. Are you?” You raised a brow, fingers brushing under her eyes and over her cheek. Ellie nodded, smiling shyly. How dare she be shy right now. “Yeah…”

She cutely nuzzles her nose against yours, fluttering her eyes shut. She peppered gentle soft kisses along your face. Who knew she was a sap after sex….

There’s still some shock within the atmosphere of the poorly lit garage. The air smelling of sweat and sex. This will need to be talked about, but there’s an absent agreement to just be present tonight. Ellie stands up, shakily guiding her legs over to the bathroom as you laid, trying to understand what just happened.

After a moment, you hear the water run. She comes out with a wet cloth, sitting beside you with hesitant eyes. She gestures the cloth up lazily and mumbles, eyes going to your pussy. “Gonna wash…”

The coldness almost makes you hiss, but you welcome the soft and delicate act of her cleaning up. “Thanks…”. The cloth is tossed to the basket, before she climbs next to you, putting a clean blanket over your lower body. Her doe eyes scan over your face, your features as you mimic the action.

“I mean..you’re staying right?” Ellie’s tone is an airy…blissfully dreamy whisper.

You bite your bottom lip, fingers tracing the girls jawline. “I can’t really walk right now to be honest. I think it was your plan to keep me here.” The joke makes Ellie’s eyes crinkle with laughter, her palm rubbing the curve of your hip.

“Alright…I’ll get you some clothes…we can get comfy and sleep…” her voice is hushed against your neck.

Your fingers ran over the back of Ellie’s shirt, eyelashes fluttering your vision as the calmness of the moment overtook you. Suddenly the biggest issue was no longer almost dying earlier, it was falling in love with your best friend.

You both were hopeless, and maybe it wasn’t the worst thing to happen.

<3

[dilly-dahlia]

v. Dollhouse of Unexpected Feelings

pairing: Gene x Reader

content: pdh, drill team!reader, opposites attract, sunshine/grumpy, angst, suggestive but not explicit, images used are NOT an indication of the reader's appearance

summary: You gladly accepted Gene's offer to work on your Physics project at his house, but . . . where were the butterflies from?

word count: 7.4k

masterlist

The Problem With Popularity masterlist

previous part

Dante’s house always intimidated you. It was huge. It was also further out of the city and surrounded by a big plot of land his family owned. His closest neighbor was across the street, and even then the winding driveways leading to both houses made them seem like lifetimes away. Any time you came over it was a reminder that you go to the same school he does because of a scholarship, not because your parents could afford the price tag.

Your dad let out a low whistle as he drove up the driveway, raising his brows. “These people are in a different tax bracket, Y/n. I feel poor,” he said, glancing over at you. “Is that why you’re dressed so nice?”

“I’m dressed normally.” Although you had put just a tad more effort into your hair and makeup. And, okay, maybe you were wearing one of your nicer outfits.

He raised his brow at you in suspicion. You kept your gaze locked with his until he said something else. “You’re sure there’s no boys here?”

“I never said there weren’t gonna be guys here, Dad. I literally told you my physics partner is a guy.”

He hummed like he didn’t believe you, but you knew you told him because his response had been, “Don’t go doing any double slit experiments.”

And he said the same thing now. “Alright, then. But don’t go doing any double slit experiments. Not worth it.”

Your cheeks heated and you reached up to cover your face as he pulled to a stop. You mumbled something incoherent before opening your door and carefully climbing out, cardboard box and grocery bag of craft supplies in hand.

“How you gettin’ home, tot?” your dad asked, leaning over the center console. You rested the box on the passenger seat for a moment, tapping your fingers against the sides.

“I’ll get a ride home with Katelyn if she’s here,” you replied. “Or Gene can take me, even.”

Your dad scrunched his nose. “Gene a bad kid?” You shook your head. He huffed and lifted himself back into the driver seat, shifting the car into drive. “Go home with Katelyn.”

You hummed in agreement, lifting the box back up and closing the car door. Your dad waited until you were at Dante’s front door, hand on the knob and opening it, before driving off. 

Dante and his family always left the front door unlocked when they were expecting people, and not only were you there to work on your Physics project with Gene, but Dante had also invited most of the friend group to just come over and hang out.

You didn’t think that was just a coincidence. You were sure Dante (and probably another person) had some underlying motive, but you couldn’t prove anything.

The door immediately opened to the living room and kitchen. The layout of the first floor was fairly open, the only separation indicating a difference in rooms being a kitchen island with tall bar stools sitting beside it. There was hardly anything on the floor save for basic and sleek looking furniture, but the walls were covered in family photos and various hangings.

Dante—who was sitting on the couch with Garroth, Laurance, Cadenza, and Aphmau—looked toward the door when it opened. The five of them were playing Mario Kart, though Dante was sitting out. You offered a tight lipped smile.

He narrowed his eyes at you. “I thought you were busy.”

“I am.” You motioned to the box and plastic bag in your hands. “Is Gene here?”

“Who threw that blue shell?” Aphmau shouted.

“I think it was an NPC,” Garroth said, though he was biting back a laugh as he passed Aphmau’s Yoshi.

“He’s up in his room,” Dante replied, letting his head hang back so he could keep looking at you. You stepped closer to him, resting the box on the back of the couch.

“Can you go get him?”

“Why do I have to get him?”

“It’s your house, Dante.”

“Well he’s your partner.” Dante rolled his eyes, reluctantly pushing himself off the couch and trudging over to the set of stairs on the opposite side of the room. “Fine. He’ll be down in a minute.”

“Thank you,” you sang, giving him a bright smile. You immediately took his spot on the couch, watching the remainder of the Mario Kart round. Once it finished, Laurance set his controller down and leaned forward.

“Y/n.”

You blinked at him, your gaze flitting around for a moment. Aphmau and Garroth were preoccupied with choosing the next cup they were going to play, but Cadenza seemed to be listening in. You met her gaze and she shrugged.

“Laurance,” you replied, matching his monotone voice.

“You and Gene,” he started, but he didn’t elaborate. You fought the urge to roll your eyes, but you couldn’t hold back the exasperated breath you let out.

“I’m here to do a physics project with him, Laurance,” you explained. Your tone seemed strained, like you were tired of always having to explain yourself to him.

“Isn’t that what the class is for?”

“So Mr. Vega actually assigns six weeks projects to do as homework,” you said, using your hands to animate the situation. “Gene and I have barely even planned out our dollhouse and it’s due literally tomorrow.”

Laurance, always having less restraint than you, did roll his eyes. “I feel like you’re spending a lot of time with him and using physics to cover it up.”

Your brows furrowed. What was that supposed to mean?

“I’m sorry he’s my lab partner? I don’t know what you want me to tell you.” You crossed your arms defensively. The other three had picked a new cup by now, and they were silently watching your conversation with Laurance. “Even then, it’s none of your business who I talk to. I’ve already told you that you can’t police who I’m friends with.”

“That’s not-“ Laurance exhaled, running a hand through his hair. He didn’t like arguing, especially with you. And especially in front of other people. You could see it in the way his cheeks flushed, and the fact that the three onlookers were so clearly listening to the small argument only made it worse. “I’m not trying to do that.”

“It sure seems like it.”

“Just-“ Laurance took a breath, his celestine eyes meeting yours. “What is the deal with you two?”

“What do you mean? We’re friends.”

Laurance raised his brows in disbelief. “That’s why you’re so dressed up? To work on a functioning dollhouse with just a friend?”

Why did people keep saying that? “This is not dressed up.” You motioned to yourself. The denim skirt and black fitted top you had on really wasn’t. Not to you, at least. You had thought the outfit sat in the comfortable gray area between casual and dressy, but apparently not.

“It is a little nicer than usual, Y/n,” Cadenza added.

“This is my normal clothing choice!” you said, scoffing. “And if I look dressed up then it’s because I’m here of all places. Have you seen this house? If I wore literally anything else I would look so out of place.”

“Did you not just see that Dante’s wearing a muscle shirt and highlighter yellow basketball shorts.”

You held your tongue. You had seen that, and you honestly wondered if he had just rolled out of bed with it. “That’s different.”

“There is nothing different about it.”

“He lives here.”

“That doesn’t mean- Listen, if you keep up whatever thing you have with Gene you might live here, too.”

Your jaw dropped. “What? What is that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing, it just-“

“Oh, my god. You think I like Gene? That’s what this is about?”

“Of course not, Y/n. I just don’t think you should be getting so schmoozy with him.”

“I have not been getting schmoozy with him. We’re just friends, Laurance. And like I said, even if there was something, it's none of your business nor is it your place to tell me I can’t date him.”

“Do you know how pissed Dante would be if that happened?”

“Why are you bringing Dante into this?”

“Because he’s Gene’s brother, and also one of your best friends.”

“Dante is irrelevant.” It was like saying his name summoned him because you could suddenly hear Dante’s loud laugh coming from the stairwell. It bounced off the walls and in response you hit Laurance in the shoulder. “Now shut up.”

“Why did you hit me?”

You shushed him and stood up, readjusting the box in your arms so you could lift it easier. You and Laurance continued your hushed bickering for a moment, until you’d finally had enough.

“Okay, just- Just forget about it, Laurance.” You stepped around the couch, making your way over so you’d be able to meet Gene and Dante at the bottom of the stairwell. Just before you did, though, you turned your head and said, “Not a word to Dante. That goes for all of you.”

“What?” Dante asked, practically hopping off the last step of the stairs. You finally got a good look at him and realized just how ridiculous he looked. His entire person was a stark contrast to the warm color of the walls. He really did look like he had just rolled out of bed.

“Don’t worry about it,” you said, waving him off. He eyed you suspiciously, but ended up shrugging and walking back to the couch. You placed a finger over your lips, silently shushing the other four that sat around. After a moment, you turned to Gene with a smile.

He raised a brow at you, his gaze flicking between you and your friends. “What’s that about?” he asked, lifting his hand and motioning to Dante. He held a folder, and the contents of it flopped around.

You shook your head. “Nothing. Anyway, I brought a cardboard box and the wire Garroth gave me the other day. I also brought a bunch of craft stuff my mom had so we could decorate it once we finish the wiring and . . . Yeah.”

You softly hummed to fill whatever silence followed your words. You and Gene awkwardly stood across from each other, the only sound in the room being your fingers softly tapping against the box and the occasional click of a button. You wondered why no one was talking, especially since there was a group of very talkative people just a few feet away from you.

You heard Cadenza clear her throat, and when you looked over she was leaned in close to Aphmau to whisper, although not quietly, “The tension is straight out of a romance novel.”

Aphmau said something else, but you didn’t hear it because you grabbed Gene by the arm and led him to the kitchen island, wanting to get far from any other comment they might have. You lifted the box onto the counter and settled into one of the bar stools. Gene followed suit, dropping his folder next to the box.

“Okay!” you said loudly, hoping it would prompt Dante and whoever else was on the couch to talk among themselves. “You have the plan we made, right?”

“Yup.” Gene opened the folder, pulling out the folded piece of paper you had haphazardly shoved into the folder and given to Gene. He unfolded it, flattening it out against the counter and sliding it between the two of you. “We will have to redo this, by the way, because this looks like shit.”

You blinked at the paper. Not only was it extremely crinkled, but the planning itself was a dumpster fire. You could barely make out the numbers written and the lines had started rubbing away.

“Okay,” is all you said, but the simple response was such a contrast to the panic that now coursed through your veins. This project was due tomorrow, and you were starting to see that there was a reason Mr. Vega had given the class an entire six week grading period to finish it.

“I’ll do the wiring and you work on making another copy of this,” Gene said, tapping the crumpled piece of paper in front of you. He grabbed another blank sheet and slid it in front of you, along with a pencil from across the counter.

You groaned. “Why do I have to do it? I hate making the graphs.”

“Because you have better handwriting than me. Also, you know nothing about how to wire because you were asleep when Mr. Vega taught us.”

You scoffed, but you knew exactly what day Gene was talking about. You had fallen asleep in nearly all your classes because you’d pulled an all-nighter the night before. Physics, though, was probably the most embarrassing of the classes because not only did Gene actually let you sleep, but it had been a day where Mr. Vega pulled everyone in a close circle around him for the presentation. Naturally, you had sat by Gene and ended up dozing away on him. “Not true, I was paying attention.”

Gene deadpanned, holding your gaze because he knew you were bullshitting. The two of you spent a couple moments like that, just staring at each other, before you sighed dramatically and picked up the pencil.

“Fine,” you groaned, picking up the pencil and starting to write both yours and Gene’s name on the paper. From your peripheral you could see a smirk on his face. “And I was not actually sleeping that day.”

“Oh yeah, what were you doing then?”

“Resting my eyes.”

Gene laughed, but it was dry and sarcastic, before rolling his eyes. “Yeah, because the drool on my shoulder was definitely resting your eyes.”

You shushed him, reaching over to place your hand over his mouth and cover it. Your cheeks felt warm, and you could only hope you hadn’t visibly flushed. He tried speaking beneath your hand again, but you harshly shushed him once more. Gene playfully rolled his eyes before pulling your hand away from his lips.

“Get to work, Y/n.” A smile played at his lips as he spoke, and the sight made you laugh.

“Says the guy who’s been unwinding copper wire since he sat down.”

“Shut up.”

You laughed again, and a comfortable silence fell over the two of you. Of course, it wasn’t really silent since Dante and Laurance and Aphmau and anyone else were still playing MarioKart. You listened to the racing music, along with the occasional and offhanded comment one of them made every now and then. You even let a laugh slip from your lips every now and then.

A couple hours had passed. Katelyn, Travis, Nicole and Lucinda had come by and found spots to sit around the living room area. They had been taking turns playing MarioKart or Overcooked, but the group of them had now settled down and were watching Hamilton. Safe to say that you had not been expecting a live show when you showed up to the Accardi residence.

Gene, you learned, took a lot of breaks. Oftentimes it seemed as though the breaks he took lasted longer than the time he actually worked, and it had reached the point where you had finished the final copy of the planning document and decided to try (and fail) to wire a small fan. Gene found your failure to be much more amusing than anything on his phone, and had set it face down on the counter in favor of watching you.

“You’re an ass,” you eventually said. Your comment elicited a hearty chuckle from Gene.

“And why am I an ass today, bunny?”

“You’re just sitting there and staring and laughing at me. Help me, or something.”

Gene laughed again. You noticed he did that a lot more the longer you knew him. Maybe the two of you were just getting more comfortable with each other, but you couldn’t recall any time you had seen him really laugh before this year. Before, you would see him in passing in the halls. Sometimes the two of you would lock eyes and you’d offer a soft smile and small wave, but Gene just stared at you until you looked away. Even when you saw him with Sasha and Zenix, he always looked brooding.

He reached over, pulling the copper wire and poorly made paper fan from your hands. Your fingers brushed together, and for the brief moment that they did you let yourself savor the feel of his calluses against your hands. For a brief moment you felt the warmth of his hand against yours, and you enjoyed it.

What?

Your gaze flicked up to meet the deepest blue you’d ever seen. You quickly pulled your hand away from his to brush hair out of your face, softly clearing your throat and glancing to where most of Dante’s group was belting the lyrics to Satisfied. You kept your gaze on the TV as Gene wired the fan, watching before you noticed Katelyn in your peripheral.

She was staring you down. Compared to the rest—who were all practically acting out Angelica’s grievances like they were the ones suffering from the tragedy of ‘right person wrong time’—she actually stuck out like a sort thumb, which was surprising considering she loved theater. Then again, it really wasn’t because of how adamant she always was about disliking it for some reason. Regardless to say, she was staring you down and you didn’t have a clue as to why.

You furrowed your brows, slightly cocking your head as if to say, What?

In response, Katelyn lifted her eyebrows and subtly nodded her head to Gene, even flicked her gaze to him.

Your eyebrows unfurrowed, but you slightly widened your eyes. Again, as if to ask, What?

Katelyn rolled her eyes, and nodded her head more distinctly to your physics partner. Her eyes were wider than saucers, and she moved her lips to mouth something.

Unfortunately, you were garbage at lip reading, and instead furrowed your brows again in confusion. You got one of her messages when Katelyn held her hands out in front of her, shaking them back in forth like she was going to strangle you.

Which, knowing her, wasn’t an entirely impossible thought.

“What are you doing?” Gene asked from beside you. He had been watching the silent conversation with your friend, and he seemed almost as lost as you.

“Nothing,” fell from your lips faster than lightning. Immediately you peeled your gaze from Katelyn to meet his instead. “Nothing.”

“Right.” Gene spared one last glance to Katelyn before pushing the bare bones of the completed dollhouse to you. “Well, we’re done with the wiring. Now, since you want that extra credit so bad, all we have to do is decorate it.”

“You’re talking like you don’t also need the extra credit, Mister Forty-Seven.”

“I am perfectly fine with making a bare minimum grade in that class—”

“A forty-seven isn’t—”

“—you, however, are the one crying about a seventy-seven.”

You deadpanned, glaring at him. “You do know I’m at Phoenix Drop High on scholarship, right?”

“So?”

You let out a sound akin to a scoff of disbelief. You kept your mouth slightly agape, just staring at Gene until he raised his eyebrows and motioned for you to continue. Then you sighed, lifting your hand to your mouth.

“You really are in a different tax bracket,” you mumbled, to which Gene laughed. You lowered your hand from your lips, crossing your arms on the counter and looking at him instead. “Gene, you realize tuition for Phoenix Drop High is twenty-thousand dollars a year, right?”

“Y/n, I know how much it costs and I know you’re there on scholarship.”

“I know, but you don’t know the requirements to keep the scholarship,” you said, cutting him off from speaking any further. “I need to stay in my extracurricular for the entire time I attend the school, I need good student behavior, and I also need to maintain an eighty plus average in all of my classes. I only get one pass for my grade to drop below that and I already used it last year.”

Gene whistled, tapping his fingers against the counter. “What class did you fail? And why? I can’t see you failing any of your classes, let alone get below an eighty.”

“Unimportant.” You didn’t want to get into the depression rut you had put yourself into that stemmed from dating Laurance. It was such a deep hole you had to take a week off school for your mental health and to catch yourself up. It was close to what you imagined hell to be like. “But anyways. I’m literally three points from making an eighty, Gene, please. I need that extra credit.”

He laughed, another genuine sound you were getting used to hearing, and shook his head. “Alright. What all did you bring?”

You smiled at him, which he returned. Except this one wasn’t like the mischievous or cunning smiles he often gave you or anyone else. He didn’t bare his perfect teeth and kept his lips closed. In fact, his smile was downturned. Now that you had seen it, you couldn’t imagine him with a smile where the corners of his lips curled up.

You reached for the plastic Hobby Lobby bag across the counter. Once you slid it toward yourself, you untied the knot and began pulling some of the supplies out, briefly explaining what they could be used for to Gene. You both decided to start making furniture with the air dry clay that had been sitting in your closet for who knows how long. Somehow, it retained its softness and remained easily molded.

“You are putting way too much effort into this,” Gene commented after he had watched you add the tiniest details to the table you were making with a toothpick. His voice was light, almost like he was holding back a laugh.

“You made a solid cube and called it a toaster so I don’t want to hear it,” you retorted, glancing up to meet his gaze. His eyes were trained on your hands, watching intently as you added wood grain texture to the clay.

Okay, maybe you were adding way too much detail, but you tended to hyper focus on the small things. It wasn’t your fault, really. It was just so calming sometimes. It gave you an opportunity to zero in on one thing and forget about some of your other responsibilities for a bit.

Gene gently grabbed your hand. Once again you felt his callouses against the softness of your skin and found yourself longing for a more lingering touch. Something that wasn’t so fleeting. His warm hand pried the table from your hands and set it into the designated kitchen space in the cardboard dollhouse to paint and hot glue once all the pieces had been finished.

“I think our table has enough detail,” he said, giving you another one of his downturned smiles. Your gaze flicked to his lips to admire it and the sight nearly made your heart jump up to your throat. “All we need now is, what? A bed?”

You blinked at him, hardly even noticing he had posed a question—suggestion?—until he repeated it.

“Oh! Yes. Yeah, a bed, probably.” You laughed nervously. “Where else would someone sleep?”

Your stupid question made Gene playfully roll his eyes. For some reason, the action had you questioning everything. His eye rolls, whether they were genuine or joking, never made you feel any particular way, so what was this?

Hamilton had ended by now. It was getting closer to one in the afternoon as well, and you were starting to get hungry. You hadn’t had anything to eat that day except a glass of milk to down an allergy pill and ibuprofen and a slice of bread with Nutella spread across it. And you only ate half of that before accidentally dropping it on the ground, sticky side down, just as you stepped into your dad’s car that morning. You were thankful when you overheard Dante and Aphmau and all of them discussing plans for the rest of the day.

They were debating whether or not they wanted to DoorDash something or actually go out. And then they were talking about whether or not they would even come back to Dante’s since it was getting late, at least to their standards. You heard the words Chinese, deli, Chick-fil-a and buffet tossed around before they decided to go to a local pizza buffet no one knew the name of but everyone loved.

You hadn’t even noticed that Gene had started molding the doll sized bed. You watched him work, studying the way his fingers pressed against the clay to shape it and the way he rubbed it smooth and thought about how you'd feel if he—

Woah. Let’s stop that train of thought before it gets anywhere.

You shook your head to rid your mind of the dirty image you had unintentionally given yourself, your cheeks hot. Gene noticed and looked up at you with his eyebrows furrowed, giving you a once over like you were crazy. You only smiled at him, acting like nothing had happened and that you definitely didn’t catch yourself thinking about that with him.

Nope. That didn’t happen, and it would never happen. Not in a million years. Because you didn’t even like him.

“Gene, we’re heading out!” Dante called. He swiped a set of keys from the bowl near the front door and slipped his shoes on.

“Do not crash my car, you idiot,” Gene said, catching sight of the guitar pick that dangled from the chain. “If you even nick it, you're paying for damage repair.”

“You got it!” Dante was out the door before anyone else.

You hummed in amusement at the display, and when Katelyn walked closer to you and came up to your side, you instinctively held your hand out to hold hers.

“We’re going to that pizza place on Wayfare,” she said. She took hold of your hand and held it against her cheek. “Do you want to come along?”

“Me too?” Gene piped up from beside you. He gave Katelyn one of his cunning, toothy smiles, and her response was a scowl and nasty side eye.

You shook your head. “No. Me and Gene still have to finish this stupid project.” You sighed heavily. You wanted with your full being to throw this cardboard project out the window and into a pit of blazing fire. You hoped it exploded.

“Want me to bring you anything?”

“Dr. Pepper and a brownie, please,” you requested, fluttering your lashes at your friend.

“Katelyn, we’re waiting on you!” someone—it sounded like Lucinda—called from the door. Katelyn rolled her eyes, letting go of your hand and squeezing your cheek.

“I will return with Dr. Pepper and the biggest center piece of brownie you’ve ever seen,” she said, saluting to you before wishing you luck on the project and jogging to the front door.

She closed it behind her. The sound echoed through the house, and you suddenly became very aware that it was only you and Gene. Awkwardly, you lifted your hand to scratch at the side of your neck.

It was quiet without everyone else. Too quiet. You could feel the tension in the air, though you couldn’t tell what it was from. You glanced over at Gene. He seemed perfectly fine with the silence and continued working on molding the miniature bed, so maybe the awkwardness was something you were making up.

“Do you mind if I play music?” you suddenly blurted. You really couldn’t handle the silence, especially with him, Which was weird because you never minded it before. You actually preferred the silence when you were with him, because it gave you a chance to look over his shoulder and snoop on whatever he was doing on his phone or just watch his mannerisms. He usually picked up a pen the same way he did a cigarette, and sometimes he would hold it between his pointer and middle fingers the same way. And lately he had been plucking cigarettes out of their box and just holding them between his lips, not even lighting them.

“Go for it,” Gene said, setting the bed down and wiping his hands against his pants. “Do you want something to eat, by the way? I know I’m definitely hungry so you probably are, too. I can order something.”

“Sure,” you said, absentmindedly scrolling through your playlists before deciding to just hit shuffle on your liked songs and hope for the best. You prayed something from your middle school years wouldn't come up in the queue. “Don’t dog on my music, Gene.”

“Why would I . . .” Gene trailed off as the tune to Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me” started playing. He held your gaze and you held his. This was definitely not the song you wanted to be the first to play, but at least it was more in tune with your current taste. “What is this?”

“Music.”

“Y/n.”

“You said you wouldn’t dog on my music, Gene.”

“False. I never said that. You said that and then didn’t even give me the chance to agree, so I can dog on your music all I want.”

“But that’s mean. You shouldn’t do that.”

“I want you to give me a good look, Y/n, and tell me if I've ever cared about being mean.”

“You’re being very judgemental for someone that recognized the song in two notes,” you said, raising a brow at him in question. “You got experience with this song?”

“Of course I know this song. It’s Taylor Swift.”

You hummed in disbelief, side eyeing him and looking him up and down, before turning the volume on your phone up and setting it on the counter. “Sure. I’ll believe you, I guess. Anyway, what were you thinking to eat?”

“I was just gonna DoorDash Chick-fil-a,” he said, tapping on his phone. “Sandwich and fries good?”

You nodded. “With Dr. Pepper. And I can pay you back for mine.”

Gene waved you off, standing from the stool he sat in and sauntering over to the fridge. He didn’t look up from his phone, but somehow he knew where exactly a cold can of Dr. Pepper sat and placed it in front of you. “It’s fine. I got it, bunny.”

“You already let me come over for the project, I can-“

“A project we both needed to work on,” he cut in, setting his phone to the side. “I don’t mind paying. As you said, I’m in a different tax bracket so it’s basically pennies to me.”

He gave you another one of his stupidly adorable downturned smiles before laughing at the sight of your unimpressed expression.

“Let me pay you back, Gene.”

“I will not accept your money.”

“I’ll sneak it in your bag.”

“And I’ll put it right back into yours.” Gene raised his brows, holding your gaze once again. His was clear, and it seemed to click in your head just how pretty his eyes were. “I’m paying.”

You huffed, making it much more exaggerated than it needed to be. “Fine. But don’t think I owe you anything big or something! I’ll pay next time, okay?”

Despite the butterflies that seemed to have found themselves flapping in your stomach (when did those get there?), you still knew Gene. You knew he often took small favors and then held them over people’s heads. I did this for you so you do this for me. That’s one of the ways he would get people, and you refused to fall for it.

“What could you even do for me?”

“I’m not joining the Shadow Knights,” you said. Gene rolled his eyes.

“You’re basically already in it.”

“Am not. There’s a difference between being in it and being friends with the people in it.”

“Right.” Gene scoffed. “Sure, bunny. If that makes you feel better.”

You weren’t sure how it happened, but it wasn’t long until the food came and you decided to take a break. You and Gene settled yourselves on the couch and scrolled through his Hulu account, trying to find something to fill the time until you decided to get back to work.

“I can’t believe you’re making me watch 90 Day Fiancé,” Gene said, letting the remote drop onto the coffee table before leaning back. He propped his legs up, crossing them at the ankles.

“You literally clicked on it without my comment,” you replied. You were sitting on the opposite end of the couch, as far away from him as you could get. Your legs were pulled up to your chest and you had precariously balanced your food on the armrest.

“Can’t believe you’re making me watch 90 Day Fiancé,” he repeated, letting out a prolonged sigh. It made you chuckle, and you glanced over at him just to find that he was already looking at you.

“You’re so dumb.” You rolled your eyes and looked away. If you had to look at him any more you might explode. What from, you weren’t entirely sure.

You imagined he rolled his eyes as well, but he definitely reached over to playfully hit your arm before pretending he did nothing. When you turned to chastise him, his eyes were trained on the TV, and he was clearly holding back a laugh. You decided not to say anything, and just continued eating.

Somehow, some way, you shifted closer to Gene. It wasn’t so close that you were touching or anything, and there was still nearly an entire cushion between the two of you, but you did shift closer. And somewhere among the easy conversation and unexpectedly passionate debates and criticisms of the show’s choices, you found yourself wanting to get used to this.

—

You were on your way out of the house with Katelyn when the sound of Gene’s voice stopped you. When you looked back, he was leaning against the doorway. Behind him you could see the completed dollhouse that had been moved to the coffee table so he didn’t forget it in the morning.

You had to look up slightly to be able to look at Gene properly, and it made your face hot. He leaned against the doorway in the same way you imagined the love interests in the books you read to, and that thought did nothing to quell the butterflies that had been present since . . . Well, you weren’t sure.

“Zenix and I are heading over to Sasha’s for a movie night on Friday, if you want to come,” he said. He reached up to run a hand through his dark curls. You could tell he had gotten hot because now he only wore a tank top undershirt instead of the flannel he had layered on top of it.

It took you a moment to gather yourself, but you nodded. “Yeah, I-I’d love you.”

Hearing yourself stutter only made you more flustered. Gene caught it and smiled, and you could tell he was about to tease you about it because his lips turned up.

“You’d love to?” he said, pitching his voice higher in a sad attempt to mimic yours. He laughed when you playfully hit him across the chest. “We were planning on staying the night and going to the fair Saturday morning.”

You could only nod again. “Yeah, that works. I might not stay the night, but I can definitely come to the movie and fair with you guys.”

Gene gave you a swift nod and pressed his lips together. “Cool. Uh, see you tomorrow, Y/n.”

You lifted your hand to offer a wave to Gene as you stepped down his porch. “Bye.”

He raised his hand as well, and watched you until you opened the passenger door to Katelyn’s car and stepped inside. When you looked back at the doorway, Gene was just closing the door.

It was late, and you and Katelyn were the last to leave the Accardi house because of that stupid physics project. It was a devil sent from the innermost circle of hell, you swore. There was no part of it that you enjoyed, and once Mr. Vega gave it back you planned on burning it until it was nothing but a pile of ash.

“So,” Katelyn started, dragging out the word as she pulled out of Gene’s winding driveway. “Wanna talk about anything? Something I should know?” You shook your head. “No? Not like, I dunno, your entire day with Gene. You were kind of acting weird.”

“I know!” You folded easily. So, so easily. It wasn’t hard to make you do that, but you especially couldn’t keep up any kind of front with Katelyn. All she needed to do was ask one open ended question and suddenly you were making her a word salad. “Katelyn, I don’t know what’s happening.”

“Woah. Okay. Maybe take a breath.” She clearly hadn’t been expecting that reaction. Normally she would’ve been more firm—she might’ve breathed along with you, but she was driving.

“It’s so . . .” You sputter like a fish out of water, trying to articulate sentences. All your words had left you, though, and there was not a single thought in your head except for panic. “It’s so weird! I don’t even know what’s happening. Suddenly out of nowhere I’m . . . Eh.”

You didn’t know how to articulate it into words, so Katelyn could only guess how you were feeling based on the exaggerated hand motions and awkward stuttering. Which she had never been good at explaining to herself, but based on the other information she had, she could take a guess.

But she wouldn’t voice her guess to you. She would keep it to herself because saying it would only make your spiral worse. She also knew you preferred to talk yourself into and out of situations, so she hoped you would be less sporadic by the time she dropped you off.

“I don’t even like him!” you exclaimed. You wanted to pull you hair out, and you almost did. You tugged at the ends of it and groaned. “I don’t even like him. Why is this happening?”

Katelyn huffed in amusement. ‘I don’t even like him,’ my ass, she thought.

“I don’t even know if we’re friends. I mean, I consider us to be friends, but what if he doesn’t? What if he thinks I’m just some girl that’s best friends with his best friend and he just wants me gone? What if-”

“Why are you so worried about whether or not Gene thinks you’re friends?” Katelyn asked, raising her brow and sparing you a quick glance.

“I don’t know!” You groaned again, sliding down in Katelyn’s passenger seat and pulling your knees to your chest. It definitely wasn’t the safest position in a moving vehicle, but it was the closest you could get to curling into a ball and falling through the earth. “I think I’m psyching myself out. Am I psyching myself out?”

“Most definitely.”

“I just- Ugh. I know you know I already thought Gene was cute, but today it was, like, way worse. Katelyn, he actually smiled.”

“He smiles a lot, I feel like?” Katelyn wasn’t actually sure. Every time she saw him, though, his lips were always curled up. Like he had something up his sleeve. It freaked her out sometimes.

“No, like he smiled, Katelyn. A genuine, actual smile.” You covered your face with your hands. You wanted the world to open up and swallow you just to get away from this weird feeling in your stomach. You wanted to get rid of the weird pull on your heart and get rid of whatever fog was messing with your head. “And his eyes are so pretty, oh my god. I’m going to die.”

Katelyn huffed, scrunching her nose. “Is this like the crash out you had when you realized you liked Laurance?”

“No.” You were very firm with it. You were so serious, in fact, that you returned to sitting like a normal person to look at Katelyn dead on to make your point. “It is not the same because I don’t like Gene.”

“Right.”

“I don’t! I don’t and I never will because he’s a bad, bad, terrible person and he doesn’t care about his actions or the consequences and he does illegal things and I don’t even want to be associated with him.” That’s what you had been told, anyway, and that’s the reputation that preceded Gene. It was natural for people to say that about him, so it was completely normal for you to think that.

Katelyn could feel that there was more you needed to let out. “But?”

“But he’s not that bad!” If you were in your room with her, you would’ve dramatically thrown yourself onto your bed like a distressed maiden. Instead, you settled for folding over and groaning at the car floor. “He isn’t that bad, at least to me, and I don’t know if I’m being delusional or if it’s true.”

Katelyn couldn’t help but laugh. She knew you were lying to yourself, because the only times she had seen you so passionate about something was your Silver Starlet routines and when you told her you liked Laurance. That was a very similar conversation to this one, except Laurance wasn’t a completely jackhead like everyone made Gene out to be, so there was a lot less back and forth.

“I think you are being completely insane,” Katelyn started. The two of you had made it back into what was officially considered Phoenix Drop, so there were more lights highlighting your face and running across your field of vision. “However, I say to give it like, a week, or something.”

“I see him in less than twenty-four hours.”

“O-kay.” Katelyn pulled to a stop at a red light, letting her hands drop from the wheel and taking the opportunity to look at you. “Then roll it over in your head until you see him tomorrow, I guess.”

“You are not helpful.”

You friend lifted her hands in surrender. “Hey, you are the one that decided to vent to me. The only romantic experience I’ve ever had is with Jeffory, and as of now we are in a rather happy relationship.”

You glared at her. Of course she had to bring up that her life was completely void of boy problems because of whatever excuse she pulled from a cup.

“Y’know, I thought you’d be a lot more judgemental about this.”

She shrugged. “I mean, I already knew you think he’s cute. For some reason. I’m not exactly happy or elated about it, but whatever, I guess.”

“Wow. So you just don’t care if he ends up axe murdering me and dumping me in the ocean.”

“Listen, that’s on you if you decide to spend more time with Gene. If he kills you, obviously I will kill him in return, but at your funeral I’m leaning down into your casket and whispering, I told you so.” Her face lit up green and she pressed on the gas. The sun had just set, so the sky behind her was a pretty violet color. “But also if you end up heartbroken because of him, that’s also your own fault because you know he isn’t the best.”

You huffed, turning to look out your window and leaning your head against the glass. “I don’t even like him, so I’m not going to end up heartbroken. You can only get heartbroken about something if you care about it.”

Katelyn glanced over at you, not quite believing your words because she knew you. She knew you were someone that did things slowly and then all at once without even realizing it. That’s what had happened with Laurance, and look how that turned out. Not only did the aftermath of that relationship leave you in shambles for multiple reasons, but she could also see that your breakup was still affecting you.

She just hoped that you ended up happy, even if your happiness meant being with what she would consider the vermin of Phoenix Drop High. She also hoped that for your sake, you would realize what was happening before everything came all at once and you drowned.

it's been a while but I hope y'all enjoy until the next time I update because it might be another while lmao (school is killing me im so tired)

but anyways! i'm going to bed (< a complete lie) I love y'all have a good day mwah

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